British staples of tea and bacon sarnie make former helicopter test pilot immediately feel at home in the International Space Station

This article is more than 4 years old

This article is more than 4 years old

British astronaut Tim Peake has settled into life in space with some earthly comforts – tea and a bacon sandwich.

Major Peake, who blasted into orbit on board a Soyuz rocket on Tuesday, said he was “loving every minute” of his first few days on the International Space Station (ISS).

With a nod to station commander Scott Kelly, a US astronaut who is spending a year aboard the ISS, the 43-year-old revealed his first meal was a British favourite.

He tweeted: “What makes a good leader? @StationCDRKelly having a hot bacon sarnie waiting as my 1st meal on #ISS. Boy that tasted good! #Principia.”

Tim Peake (@astro_timpeake) What makes a good leader? @StationCDRKelly having a hot bacon sarnie waiting as my 1st meal on #ISS. Boy that tasted good! #Principia

And he added: “1st 48hrs on #ISS – busy but incredible. Amazing how fast the body adapts to new environment. Found my tea ... life is good!”

Tim Peake (@astro_timpeake) 1st 48hrs on #ISS - busy but incredible. Amazing how fast the body adapts to new environment. Found my tea...life is good! #Principia

He has also received messages of support from the Queen and Sir Elton John, who said: “From one Rocket Man to another, good luck”.

Peake’s tweets come ahead of a question and answer session on Friday, which will form part of a busy schedule for the former army aviator and helicopter test pilot.

Dominic King (@radiodominic) OMG So @astro_timpeake says his first meal on the ISS was a bacon sarnie!!! So that's #pigsinspace #themuppets pic.twitter.com/vrJPBUiVh5

Peake is due to speak to the media for the first time since docking with the ISS via a live link to the European Astronaut Centre near Cologne, Germany.



The European Space Agency (ESA) has confirmed the conference will go ahead at 2.15pm GMT and last for 20 minutes.

According to the ESA, Peake’s other activities will include unpacking cargo from a spacecraft, spending an hour on the exercise bike and taking part in a Canadian experiment called Marrow, investigating the effects of radiation on bone marrow.