Everything you need to know about Tim Peake's spacewalk today
The astronaut will be the first 'official' Brit to do it
Tim Peake will become the first "official" British astronaut to walk in space later, as he goes outside to help fix a broken power unit.
But what does this mean and how dangerous will it be? Here’s the guide to Tim Peake’s spacewalk.
Why is he the first Briton to carry out a spacewalk?
British-American astrophysicist Michael Foale was the first in 1995. Tim Peake will be the first Briton because other astronauts have had dual or US citizenships, or the trips have been sponsored or privately funded.
What’s happening?
The astronaut will leave the International Space Station with his NASA colleague Colonel Tim Kopra, who has been on two spacewalks before.
It’s something they’ve practised for weeks, having also ran through it for months on Earth.
On Twitter Tim Peake said there was no time to 'dwell on emotions'.
How long will it take?
The walk, referred to as an Extra-Vehicular Activity (EVA), will last almost six and a half hours and the pair will have to work in 45 minutes blocks of daylight then complete darkness – because the International Space Station orbits the Earth every 90 minutes.
What will they do?
Major Peake will start breathing pure oxygen two hours before, because the pressure in their suits is lower than the Space Station. Just like the films, the astronauts will enter an airlock before going outside and will stay attached to the Space Station supports.
Colonel Kopra will then go to the solar units that need to be repaired. Once a green light is given then Major Peake will follow with the replacement equipment.
It’s reported that the repairs will take under three hours.
What happens if they complete the repairs with time to spare?
After performing ground checks, the astronauts will have ‘bonus tasks’ to do if they have extra time. These are tasks like laying another cable and cutting unnecessary power caps.
How dangerous will it be?
The European Space Agency (ESA) warned that a spacewalk is a test of ‘patience and alertness’. Not only are they out in space, which sounds pretty dangerous, but the task will be tiring due to the pressure in the spacesuits. They can’t go to the toilet and can only drink water from pouches.
Plus the ESA added that the sunrises up there can be ‘blinding for moments’ which means the pair will need to keep checking one each other and checking their suits haven’t been damaged.
What happens when they get back?
When the astronauts return their colleagues will help them clean up, make extra checks and then they’ll be able to take off their suits.
Major Peake arrived on the ISS on the 15th December and will stay for six months.
The walk will be broadcast live around lunchtime today.