Tim Peake return #British ESA astronaut lands safely back on Earth after six months aboard ISS

After 186 days in space, Tim Peake has returned to Earth. The final goodbyes were said at 2am this morning before Peake stepped into the Russian Soyuz TMA-19M spacecraft.

Along with him were commander Yuri Malenchenko and NASA's Tim Kopra.

The team undocked from the International Space Station at 5.51am and separated a minute later.

They successfully completed the deorbit burn and are re-entered the atmosphere at a speed 28,800km/h.

Parachutes were deployed on time and the whole process was described as "by the book" by NASA.

They landed in south central Kazakhstan where rescue services were waiting.

Major Peake's first words were that his space adventure was "the best ride I've been on ever" and he said he wouldn't mind a cold beer.

After routine medical examinations, he will be flown to Cologne for debriefing with the European Space Agency.

Confirmation that the crew are in good shape.

“Timothy Peake feels good,” says an amiable Russian crew-training expert speaking at the landing site.

“The crew did feel the impact upon landing. There was a bit of fire, I did see some flames on the grass,” he said.