Astronaut training - what you need to do to see a view like this

Just what does it take to become an astronaut? Tim Peake - who will become the UK's first official, government-backed man in space - is hard at work finding out.

With nearly two decades as an Army Air Corps pilot behind him, plus a degree in flight dynamics, he went through a year-long selection process with the European Space Agency before he was chosen.

Here - accompanied by a personal musical playlist - Tim Peake explains what skills he is learning ahead of his mission next year.

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All images subject to copyright. Images courtesy Tim Peake and Nasa/Esa/Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Centre.

Music by Dire Straits, Queen, Coldplay, Matchbox Twenty and KPM Music.

Slideshow by Paul Kerley. Publication date 27 January 2014.

Related:

UK Space Agency

European Space Agency

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