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“We often describe it as fifteen explosions followed by a car crash”, said Chris Hadfield, retired Canadian astronaut.

British astronaut Tim Peake’s capsule Soyuz withstood temperatures of more than 1,600 degrees celsius on its way back to planet Earth (video) after 186 days on the International Space Station. Picture a human man in a metal box surrounded by that degree of heat. Not only was it an intense ride, but Peake's body also had to be "prepared".

“To multiply your weight by five, it’s very heavy, so just breathing will be more laboured and difficult for him, but he’ll have done this in a centrifuge, we know that he’s strong and fit, as they all are in this crew; he knows what to expect,” said British astronaut Helen Sharman.

Peake doesn’t stop at just this. He has, in the past, run the London Marathon on a treadmill – in space. And got an award from the Queen of England – also received while he was in space. He constantly kept in touch with the world on Twitter, took part in video Q&A sessions and engaged in educational activities with schoolchildren. Peake redefined the idea that "the world has no boundaries".

The astronaut had a safe landing on Saturday. His capsule completed its de-orbit, entered the Earth’s atmosphere, wand was guided down slowly by parachute afterwards.

After six months in space, a smiling Peake told reporters he was “good thanks, very good.” The astronaut also said that the journey “was incredible, a real ride. Best ride I’ve been on ever.

“It’s just been fantastic, from start to finish... feel truly amazing, just the smells of Earth are so strong, it’s wonderful to be back...the fresh air. I look forward to seeing the family now.”

Peake is the first British astronaut to be sent to the ISS by the European Space Agency.