Houston, we have lift-off, as a top Belfast science and discovery centre joins forces with British astronaut Tim Peake.

W5 was chosen to take part in this unique programme with the European Space Agency, who are investing over £1.5 million into the project.

The exciting space project will give children and adults an opportunity to learn about human space flight in real time and follow life on the International Space Station (I.S.S) throughout Tim Peak’s mission.

Located in the Odyssey Arena, W5 is one of 20 science centres across the U.K. to take part in the programme ‘Destination Space’.

Destination Space allows children across the nation to get to grips will a whole mission and what it involves, though a hands-on experiment, showing rocket demonstrations, space equipment and live video from the International Space Station.

The children taking part in the project will also get to learn about the space team behind Tim’s work on the ISS, with highlights of the amazing career opportunities for young people across the space and science sector.

Dr Penny Fidler, CEO of ASDC and Director of Destination Space said: “Tim Peake is the European Space Agency’s first British astronaut and we want children and families to feel they are truly a part of his exciting mission. His journey and time on the International Space Station provides a great opportunity to encourage children to be more curious, ask big questions and to enjoy science.

“By following Destination Space online or joining us for one of our science centre events, young people all over the UK can explore human space flight in a hands-on, fun and involving way.

“We want to show there is a huge crew of women and men from all areas of science and engineering who work to make space missions possible. This is a chance to celebrate their endeavours, giving young people the confidence and curiosity to explore and ask questions long after they leave the science and discovery centres.”

Schools and families will be invited to join the space programme though a calendar of live events and shows at W5 from October and includes special events for Tim’s launch, meet-the-expert sessions and an extravagant astronaut show that will inspire and engage the audience with Tim’s missions.

From January 2016 a special curriculum-linked activities for school children aged 5-years-old to fourteen-years-old will run while Tim is in space on his mission.

For more information please visit http://www.w5online.co.uk/ or to try and catch a glimpse of the International Space Station when it’s going past your house visit http://www.isstracker.com/