Tim Peake confirms return to space as astronaut's Soyuz capsule goes on display at London's Science Museum
Astronaut Tim Peake has announced his return to space as the Russian capsule that carried him to and from the International Space Station has gone on display at London’s Science Museum.
The Soyuz TMA-19M used by Peake – the UK’s first ESA astronaut – becomes the first flown human spacecraft acquired by the Science Museum Group for the UK’s national space technology collection. The museum says the capsule – now in display in the Wellcome Wing – is an important part of UK space history and hopes it will inspire future generations.
“You do become very attached to your spacecraft because it definitely does save your life,” said Peake. “I’m absolutely delighted that my Soyuz spacecraft, the TMA-19M, is returning here to the UK and may serve, hopefully, as inspiration for our next generation of scientists and engineers.”
Peake who spent six month orbiting the earth, took part in a number of STEM activities with science centres, museums and planetariums while on board the ISS in 2015 and 2016.
Peake confirmed his return to space during the unveiling ceremony at the Science Museum, though a date is yet to be confirmed.
Speaking to Attractions Management in September, Jean-François Clervoy, veteran of three NASA Space Shuttle missions, said that the next generation of scientists and engineers are being inspired at science centres and planetariums through what is being learned in space, and through programming distributed on earth to promote space.
“The International Space Station (ISS) airs live links to schools, science museums and planetariums on a regular basis,” said Clervoy. “Tim Peake is a good example of this.
“Because it is a space programme it motivates engineers and scientists to find solutions to problems that can be spun off on Earth. These lessons we are learning up there we’re then teaching at our science centres and planetariums down here for the next generation.”
The capsule will build on the success of last year’s record-breaking Cosmonauts: Birth of the Space Age, a temporary exhibition visited by more than 140,000 people. Starting in March, the Science Museum will also debut “Space Descent VR with Tim Peake” – a new virtual reality experience that allows visitors to experience the 400km journey back to earth from the ISS inside the Soyuz capsule.
Tim Peake Space ISS Science Museum London Science Museum Soyuz science centre science centerExclusive: NASA must work with science centres to inspire the next generation of astronauts, says Clervoy
Ecsite 2016: Use space to encourage future careers in STEM
Alton Towers creates 'gravity-free zone' at home of astronaut Tim Peake
Astronaut Tim Peake to call Liverpool's World Museum from space
AI firm Midjourney enters wellness with spa, fitness and body scanning concept
Hot spring wellness community Ameyalli sells residences and breaks ground on resort and spa
OMA completes New Museum transformation with landmark expansion and Oberon restaurant
OMA has completed a major transformation of New York's New Museum, creating a larger cultural campus that combines expanded exhibition spaces with learning, performance, hospitality and public programming. The latest addition, Oberon, extends the visitor experience beyond the gallery, reflecting a growing trend for museums to become all-day destinations.
The New Museum in New York has entered a new chapter with the completion of a major
David Rockwell creates immersive magic destination, The Hand and The Eye
Montana Heritage Center by Cushing Terrell opens after US$107 million investment
Universal launches new theme park model with Kids Resort
'Minor wellness hotels' recorded the strongest growth across top KPIs in 2025, finds RLA Global
Great Barrier Reef attraction set for AU$180 million reinvention
Fairmont Cheshire, The Mere, has architecture by Leach Rhodes Walker and interiors by Bergman Design House.
Marriott International partners with Fitwel for wellness solutions across its residential portfolio
Preidlhof Luxury DolceVita Resort to unveil new spa in February 2027
Places Leisure is working with Roberts Limbrick to build £60m wellness flagship in Basingstoke
Hoshino Resorts opens Kai Kusatsu as it expands the Kai onsen ryokan brand
Qiddiya and Populous share details of Saudi Arabia’s National Tennis Centre
Disney confirms US$30 billion investment programme as it highlights its economic impact
Until combines multiple disciplines at new Canary Wharf club
Sea Lanes opens following a partnership between The Eden Project and Canary Wharf Group
Bas Smets brings water and wilderness to Vitra
Expo 2030 Riyadh will create a permanent global destination
Luxury resort coming to Hunter Valley will have longevity spa
'Data chocolate', dreams made real and artworks shaped by visitors’ emotions: Refik Anadol’s AI art museum launches in Los Angeles
London Museum reveals 2026 opening date for new Smithfield home
BIG unveils Eve Music Hall as Croatia venue nears completion
Bob Rogers hands BRC to long-serving leadership team
Palazzo di Varignana launches family wellbeing and longevity retreat in Emilia Romagna
Anasa Wellness and Spa debuts at Patmos Aktis as it joins Marriott
Design-led Koru Health Club combines high-performance training with recovery
Wellness care hospital opens in Vilnius with innovative spa and hospitality concept
Universal and Puy du Fou projects point to rise of Oxford–Cambridge corridor
A proposed Puy du Fou development near Bicester and Universal Destinations and Experiences’ planned resort in Bedford are emerging as part of a wider transformation of the Oxford–Cambridge Growth Corridor into a major centre for UK leisure and tourism investment.
For years, the corridor has been associated primarily with science, technology, housing and university-led economic growth. However, the clustering of large-scale visitor attraction projects along the




















