He also focussed on educational outreach to inspire the next generation of British and European astronauts, engaging over 1.6 million pupils across the Continent.
And, while doing so, he also found time to run the London marathon.
Watch our interview with Tim Peake
Of course, while on board the ISS Tim Peake was also treated to spectacular views of planet Earth, which he photographed for the benefit of those of us back on planet Earth.
Here is a selection of some of Tim's best images captured from the International Space Station
A photograph of the area where the asteroid that created the Chicxulub crater and is buried beneath the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico. This photo was captured by astronaut Tim Peake while onboard the International Space Station. Credit: ESA/NASA"I think I found the perfect spot for a selfie." Tim Peake completed his first spacewalk on Friday 15 January 2016 after nearly five hours. Credit: ESA/NASAThe Moon from the International Space Station, captured by UK astronaut Tim Peake, 4 April 2016. Credit: ESA/NASA"Went to close the shutters last night and saw this amazing aurora Australis" – Tim Peake captured this image of the aurora from the ISSAstronaut Tim Peake during a spacewalk on the International Space Station. Credit: ESA/NASAImage showing a 7mm-diameter chip in the Cupola window on the International Space Station, gouged out by the impact from a piece of space debris. The image was captured by astronaut Tim Peake. Credit: NASA/ESAAstronaut Tim Peak floats on the ISS surrounded by fresh apples and orangesThe Jurua River in the Amazon rainforest, western Brazil, photographed from space by astronaut Tim Peake. Credit: ESA/NASAThe 'boot' of Italy at night from space, as photographed by UK astronaut Tim Peake. Credit: ESA/NASA"Station passed through magnificent Aurora Australis last night," wrote Peake after capturing this image of the Southern Lights from the Space Station, 12 June 2016. Credit: ESA/NASAThe Soyuz TMA-19M that would take Peake back to Earth at the end of his Principia mission. Peake photographed the Soyuz docked to the Space Station while onboard the ISS. Credit: ESA/NASAThe Sahara at night, as seen from space. Photographed by Tim Peake, 21 May 2016. Credit: ESA/NASAMars Bay, South Andros, The Bahamas, photographed from space byUK astronaut Tim Peake. Credit: ESA/NASAThe summer Sun setting over the UK, 5 June 2016, photographed from the International Space Station by British astronaut Tim Peake. Credit: ESA/NASAUS National Parks from space, from Lake Powell to Lake Mead through the Grand Canyon. Photographed by astronaut Tim Peake Credit: ESA/NASAStarry sky from space, as seen from the Space Station, photographed by astronaut Tim Peake. Credit: ESA/NASAEarth's 'terminator' – the point between the lit and unlit portion of the Earth – photographed from space by Tim Peake. Credit: ESA/NASASunrise over Europe from the International Space Station, photographed by ESA astronaut Tim Peake. Credit: ESA/NASA
Science journalist Ezzy Pearson is Commissions Editor at BBC Science Focus Magazine. Her first book about the history of robotic planetary landers is out now.
