The British astronaut Tim Peake is travelling to space for a second time, it has been confirmed.
The announcement was made at London's Science Museum, where the Soyuz descent module Peake originally returned to Earth in is going on display.
Thrilling news that @astro_timpeake will return to space on a second @esa mission to the @Space_Station #Soyuz pic.twitter.com/kPSYIpTtbZ
— Science Museum (@sciencemuseum) January 26, 2017
The news was confirmed by the UK's secretary of state for business and energy Greg Clark, who said "Tim Peake’s Principia mission inspired a generation, and showed just how far science can take you".
Peake spent six months on board the International Space Station as an astronaut with the European Space Agency (ESA).
He and his two expedition colleagues left Earth on December 15th 2015, and returned on June 18th 2016.
According to the ESA, "Tim Peake’s Principia mission was an eventful and busy six months in space. In the first month after his launch on 15 December 2015, Tim conducted a spacewalk.
"He also drove a rover across a simulated Mars terrain from space and helped to dock two spacecraft. Tim took part in numerous experiments for ESA and international partners," it adds.
Speaking to Sky News, Mr Peake said he was "hugely excited" about returning to space.
He described the view of Earth from space as "the most spectacular thing" you can see.
