Press release STEPHEN CRABB: TIM PEAKE’S MISSION WILL BE A HISTORIC MOMENT FOR THE UK IN SPACE * English * Cymraeg Cardiff celebrates launch of British astronaut to the International Space

Station This was published under the 2015 to 2016 Cameron Conservative government On Tuesday 15 December British ESA Astronaut Tim Peake will be launching to the International Space Station

(ISS) for his Principia mission. To mark this momentous day, the UK Space Agency is running 4 large launch-day events in the nation’s capitals and 16 smaller events at discovery and science

centres across the country, giving the public a chance to wave Tim on his way and get involved in the mission. Techniquest in Cardiff Bay has arranged a host of events and activities for

launch on the big TV screens in the city centre. SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WALES STEPHEN CRABB SAID: > The UK government is right behind UK aerospace - a global success > story that 

creates jobs and opportunities for thousands of people. > With our highly skilled workforce, and cutting edge manufacturing > capability, the sector is a critical source of growth and 

strength > for the Welsh economy. >  > Tim Peake’s mission will be a historic moment for the UK in space. > His story is a clear demonstration that there are no limits to what

> can be achieved. >  > He is a powerful role model for the young people we need to bolster > this country’s science and engineering workforce. We can be > rightly proud of 

his achievements, and I hope that millions of young > people across Wales are inspired by his incredible mission. The day culminates in a FREE space-themed evening event at Techniquest

from 5.30 to 8.00p.m. The evening event will include a question and answer session with Astronaut Pedro Duque who has flown on a shuttle mission, spent time on board the ISS, and is

currently the Head of ESA’s Flight Operations Office. There will also be the opportunity to see the brand-new Destination Space family show as well as plenty of space-related hands-on

activities. These include a rocket workshop, a chance to meet space experts and to see a full-scale replica of a Mars rover. Destination Space has been developed with the UK Association of

Science Discovery Centres (ASDC) and will give families the chance to learn about Tim Peake’s mission through hands-on experiments, rocket demonstrations and space equipment. The show will

also be available at Techniquest next year. A new workshop for primary schools has been developed and will be delivered in Wales in 2016. DR DAVID PARKER, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF THE UK SPACE

AGENCY SAID: > Human spaceflight is the ultimate in team effort with many committed > individuals working to get an astronaut into space. We wanted the > Destination Space programme

 to recognise the talents of the people > who support Tim Peake and in doing so showcase all the fantastic > career opportunities this sector offers young people. DR ANITA SHAW, ACTING

CEO, TECHNIQUEST SAID: > The activities on the day of the launch, and being held at > Techniquest and schools next year will provide everybody with the > opportunity to be part of 

Tim’s spectacular mission. This is a > fantastic way to discover more about space and we hope that this > exciting programme will inspire the next generation of mission > planners 

and space scientists to take up these and the many other > exciting careers that are available to support the UK space > industry’s ambitions. NOTES TO EDITORS: * Tim Peake’s Principia

mission is estimated to continue until June 2016. During that time he will be involved in many experiments aboard the ISS. * Wales already produces 80 percent of the world’s space glass and

is aiming to generate 5% of the UK space industry by 2030. The Aerospace Wales Forum is developing this, through Wales based aerospace and technology companies working with university

research centres. UK SPACE AGENCY The UK Space Agency is at the heart of UK efforts to explore and benefit from space. It is responsible for all strategic decisions on the UK civil space

programme and provides a clear, single voice for UK space ambitions. The Agency is responsible for ensuring that the UK retains and grows a strategic capability in the space-based systems,

technologies, science and applications. It leads the UK’s civil space programme in order to win sustainable economic growth, secure new scientific knowledge and provide benefits to all

citizens. THE UK SPACE AGENCY: * Co-ordinates UK civil space activity * Encourages academic research * Supports the UK space industry * Raises the profile of UK space activities at home and

abroad * Increases understanding of space science and its practical benefits * Inspires our next generation of UK scientists and engineers * Licences the launch and operation of UK

spacecraft * Promotes co-operation and participation in the European Space programme SHARE THIS PAGE The following links open in a new tab * Share on Facebook (opens in new tab) * Share on

Twitter (opens in new tab) UPDATES TO THIS PAGE Published 15 December 2015