British astronaut Tim Peake calls wrong number from the international space station

The 43-year-old apologises after ringing the unsuspecting women by accident

Friday 25 December 2015 10:00 GMT

Major Peake insists the incident was not a prank call and was "just a wrong number!" (PA)

British astronaut Tim Peake has apologised after calling the wrong number from the International Space Station.

Major Peake gave an unsuspecting woman a shock after calling her by mistake and asking “hello, is this planet Earth?” when she picked up.

The astronaut took to Twitter to offer a light-hearted apology to the lady and assured her it was not a prank call.

It is not Major Peake’s first unsuccessful attempt to speak to someone on earth from the ISS. He admitted to being forced to leave an answerphone message for his parents after calling when they had popped out, ITV reported.

The father-of-two from Chichester, West Sussex, arrived at the ISS on 15 December and is spending six months conducting scientific experiments.

A former major in the Army, he is the first Briton to join the ISS crew and is employed by the European Space Agency.

In pictures: Tim Peake goes into space

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1/12In pictures: Tim Peake goes into space

In pictures: Tim Peake goes into space

Major Tim Peake blasting off into orbit on board the Soyuz space capsule on his way to becoming the first British astronaut to join the crew of the International Space Station (ISS)

PA

In pictures: Tim Peake goes into space

Major Tim Peake (left) blasting off into orbit on board the Soyuz space capsule on his way to becoming the first British astronaut to join the crew of the International Space Station (ISS)

PA

In pictures: Tim Peake goes into space

Photographers take pictures as Russia's Soyuz TMA-19M spacecraft carrying the International Space Station (ISS) Expedition 46/47 crew of Britain's astronaut Tim Peake, Russian cosmonaut Yuri Malenchenko and US astronaut Tim Kopra blasts off from the launch pad at Russian-leased Baikonur cosmodrome

AFP

In pictures: Tim Peake goes into space

Expedition 46-47 crewmembers ESA astronaut Tim Peake, NASA astronaut Tim Kopra and commander Yuri Malenchenko launch into space from Baikonur cosmodrome in Baikonur, Kazakhstan

Getty Images

In pictures: Tim Peake goes into space

The Russian rocket launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan in front of the world's media following weeks of preparation

PA

In pictures: Tim Peake goes into space

The Russian rocket minutes before launch

In pictures: Tim Peake goes into space

Tim Peake, member of the main crew of the expedition to the International Space Station (ISS), waves to his children from a bus prior the launch of Soyuz TMA-19M space ship at the Russian leased Baikonur cosmodrome, Kazakhstan

In pictures: Tim Peake goes into space

US astronaut Tim Kopra waves as he boards the Soyuz TMA-19M spacecraft at the Russian-leased Baikonur cosmodrome, prior to blasting off to the International Space Station (ISS)

Getty Images

In pictures: Tim Peake goes into space

Britain's astronaut Tim Peake (bottom), Russian cosmonaut Yuri Malenchenko (top) and US astronaut Tim Kopra board the Soyuz TMA-19M spacecraft at the Russian-leased Baikonur cosmodrome, prior to blasting off to the International Space Station (ISS)

Getty Images

In pictures: Tim Peake goes into space

British astronaut Tim Peake, member of the main crew to the International Space Station (ISS), during inspecting his space suit prior the launch of Soyuz-FG rocket at the Russian leased Baikonur cosmodrome, Kazakhstan

AP

In pictures: Tim Peake goes into space

British astronaut Tim Peake, left, Russian cosmonaut Yuri Malenchenko, center, and U.S. astronaut Tim Kopra, members of the main crew of the expedition to the International Space Station (ISS), walk to report to members of the State Committee prior to the launch of Soyuz TMA-19M space ship at the Russian leased Baikonur cosmodrome, Kazakhstan

AP

In pictures: Tim Peake goes into space

From left, British astronaut Tim Peake, Russian cosmonaut Yuri Malenchenko and U.S. astronaut Tim Kopra, members of the main crew to the International Space Station (ISS), wave to their relatives near a bus prior the launch of Soyuz-FG rocket at the Russian leased Baikonur cosmodrome, Kazakhstan

AP

It came as many Britons looked forward to getting a glimpse of the ISS on Christmas Day. From southern England, it was due to appear in the west at about 4.24pm and remain visible for around six minutes.

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