CRI听力:British Astronaut Says He Has A Spectacular Life up in Space

Struggling to conquer weightlessness, British astronaut Tim Peake described his "spectacular life" in space during a live video-link with journalists gathered in Cologne in Germany.

He says his first impressions of space go way beyond his expectations.

"The most unexpected thing, I think, was the blackness of space. Because we always talk about seeing the view of planet Earth and how beautiful it is and so you come to expect that. But what people don't mention that much is just when you look the opposite direction and you see how dark space is - I mean it's the blackest black and you realise just how small the Earth is in that blackness."

Peake is employed by the European Space Agency and is scheduled to spend almost six months on board the ISS. The former helicopter pilot is excited by his mission, saying they have a very busy half-year ahead.

"We've got a very busy schedule. Both with the science programme, the visiting vehicles as well, we currently have a sickness vehicle docked which we are unpacking. That is taking a lot of time to unpack that. Preparations for potential space walks are ongoing. And of course with the future space X-vehicle that come up, there will be even more science onboard that, too. So, plenty of work to do over the next 6 months."

He also said he expected to get the chance to watch the new Star Wars film next week with his colleagues up in the space.

"We are very excited about the Star Wars movie. I think we're all fans up here and I believe that on the 21st we may get to see that up here on the Space Station, so a little bit later than everybody else but hey what a spectacular place to watch Star Wars."

Peake blasted off for the ISS on a Soyuz spacecraft on Tuesday with his two fellow astronauts.
43 year old Peake is a former army major, and the first astronaut representing the British government to wear a Union Jack flag on his arm.

The first Briton in space was Helen Sharman, who travelled on a Soviet spacecraft for eight days back in 1991.

For CRI, this is Fei Fei.