The European Space Agency's (Esa) new intake of astronauts have completed their basic training.
The six individuals - two Italians, a German, a Frenchman, a Dane and a Briton - received their graduation certificates at a special ceremony in Cologne, Germany.
They are the first group of candidates Esa has put through a training programme of its own design.
Previous astronauts have relied on the US and Russia for their education.
Alexander Gerst, Samantha Cristoforetti, Thomas Pesquet, Andreas Mogensen, Luca Parmitano and Timothy Peake will now be given a range of duties within the agency.
"It's been a real whirlwind, a fantastic experience," said Major Peake, a former helicopter pilot with the British Army Air Corps.
BBC News
