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

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

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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

In pictures: Tim Peake goes into space

  • 1/12

    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

  • 2/12

    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

  • 3/12

    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

  • 4/12

    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

  • 5/12

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

    PA

  • 6/12

    The Russian rocket minutes before launch

  • 7/12

    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

  • 8/12

    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

  • 9/12

    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

  • 10/12

    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

  • 11/12

    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

  • 12/12

    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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