Astronaut Tim Peake says there's 'never any time for getting bored' in space and that every day on the International Space Station is unique.
The 48-year-old British astronaut spent six months in space in from December 2015 until June 2016, as part of ISS Expedition 46/47.
To mark the release of his autobiography Limitless, Tim spoke to The Hard Shoulder about the 'incredible experience' of travelling to space - and his hopes for another mission.
While astronauts are always asked what it's like to be in space, Tim told Kieran that most are "only too delighted" to talk about it.
He said: "The view of Earth from space is unbelievable.
"The blackness of space is something you cannot experience here on Earth... when you see the beauty of Earth - the blues, the greens, the clouds, the weather systems - against that black backdrop of the universe, it's unbelievable."
Life on the ISS
Mr Peake said the lack of noise from an engine is strange, but you definitely get a sense of the speed the space station is moving at around the Earth.
He also noted the body adopts a different position in low gravity, explaining: "Everything relaxes... your shoulders become more hunched... your face becomes a bit puffy as all the fluid shifts to your chest and your head. That can be uncomfortable in the first couple of days.
"When you do get used to weightlessness, it's brilliant fun. You can be so effective in a small volume of space... you can use the roof, the walls."
Like every job, there are some mundane tasks to complete on the ISS - but Tim says every day is unique.
He explained: "You're always aware that every day what you're touching or the experiment you might be running... is someone's life work potentially. Certainly years have gone into the planning.
"Sometimes you might be mending the loo, or the carbon dioxide scrubbers, or doing some maintenance activity... but it's all vital to the working and well-being of the whole International Space Station.
"There's never any time for getting bored or relaxing, unless at the weekend you might get an hour or two to yourselves."
Spacewalk
A clear highlight for Tim was his spacewalk in January 2016.
Despite the magnificent views from the ISS, he said it's "another thing altogether" to see the universe with only a visor between you and it.
He told Kieran: "The feeling of exposure and danger is palpable - you're aware you're putting yourself at greater risk out there.
"Also, there's that incredible liberating feeling of floating in a spacesuit. Being able to push yourself away gently from the space station, just on a tether, and float there and look at the universe... it's unbelievable."
Despite the sense of danger, he said it's actually "very serene and calm being out there" - noting it's not a high adrenaline experience.
Tim is hoping for a second mission to space, and says it's "looking quite likely" the opportunity will come around.
However, he said that if it doesn't happen he will take the positives of his time on the ISS and use it in his life moving forward.
