The Royal International Air Tattoo is hoping to inspire the next generation of astronauts, as Tim Peake takes to the stage at this year's event.
Hot on the heels of his appearance at Cheltenham Science Festival in June 2023, Peake is speaking on the Inspire Stage at the popular airshow on Friday 14 and Saturday 15 July 2023.
The airshow's parent charity, The Royal Air Force Charitable Trust (RAFCT), hosts the Inspire Stage within the family-friendly Techno Zone®, which invites children to explore a huge range of interactive science, technology, engineering and maths exhibits to inspire them to pursue careers in engineering, aviation and aerospace.
Some of the highlights for 2023 include a replica Lockheed Martin F-35 fighter jet and an opportunity to discover what it would be like to fly in Skyfly Axe's two-seat electrical vertical take-off and landing aircraft.
Peake, who is a qualified helicopter pilot, former Army Air Corps officer and ESA astronaut, completed a 186-day mission to the International Space Station in 2016 and appeared at RIAT in 2019 and 2022.
He said: 'I am excited to be attending RIAT again this year and what a show they put on — some of the very best in aviation from around the world.
'On Friday over 9,000 school children will be able to enjoy the brilliant Techno Zone®, which offers so much to inspire young and old alike.'
RAFCT director, Justine Morton, added: 'We are thrilled with the line-up for this year’s Inspire Stage and Techno Zone® and hope to see as many people visit as possible. The Inspire Stage and Techno Zone® are both really fun parts of RIAT and I’d encourage parents to bring their children along and see what captures their imagination.
'As a charity we are focussed on inspiring the next generation of STEM leaders, and there is no better place to whet their appetite than RIAT.'
The last few tickets for this year's event are selling fast.
For more information, or to book, visit airtattoo.com.
