Ibadan, 23 January 2023. – The European Space Agency (ESA) Astronaut Tim Peake has stepped down from active ESA Astronaut Corps and has taken the role of ambassador for ESA’s activities. In this role, he will also work closely with the UK Space Agency (UKSA).
Since 1 October 2019, British ESA astronaut Tim Peake has been taking an unpaid leave of absence from ESA. During this time, he continued to support ESA, having returned to the UK, where he worked more closely with the UK Space Agency on their education and outreach program. However, Peake’s sabbatical ended on 31 December 2022, so he decided to step down from the active ESA astronaut corps.
Peake will now assume the role of ambassador for ESA’s activities, in close cooperation with the UK Space Agency. In this role, Tim will continue to focus on maximizing the potential for young people to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), in addition to supporting ESA’s Human and Robotic Exploration program and the future growth of the space industry.
Speaking on the new position, Peake said, “being an ESA astronaut has been the most extraordinary experience. I have had the privilege of working with an exceptional team of dedicated individuals during the past 13 years with the Agency, which has been incredibly exciting and rewarding. By assuming the role of an ambassador for human spaceflight, I shall continue to support ESA and the UK Space Agency, focusing on educational outreach. I look forward to the many exciting opportunities ahead.”
