He has spent more than a year in space but astronaut Michael Foale splashed down in Norwich to speak to a fascinated audience at the UEA.

Despite inclement weather, 150 people turned up to hear the starman speak about his experience of orbiting the Earth at approximately 17,900mph.

Michael Foale, who was born in Lincolnshire and studied at Cambridge University, was the second Brit in space and went on six missions, including stints on the International Space Station (ISS) and Russian Mir Space Station.

Eastern Daily Press: Queen Elizabeth II and British-born astronaut Michael Foale in Mission Control at NASA in Greenbelt Maryland in 2007, talking to three astronauts on the International Space StationQueen Elizabeth II and British-born astronaut Michael Foale in Mission Control at NASA in Greenbelt Maryland in 2007, talking to three astronauts on the International Space Station (Image: PA Wire)

Until 2008 he held the record for most time spent in space by a US citizen of 374 days, 11 hours and 19 minutes.

Organised by PHD student Rose McNelly for Pint of Science, Wednesday's event at the Thomas Paine Study Centre attracted people from as far afield as Manchester.

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She said: “We had young children, some below 10, people in their 70s and 80s, lots of people who were space enthusiasts.

“One couple said they got engaged on the day of a moon landing and they’ve been interested in space ever since.”

Eastern Daily Press: British astronaut Michael Foale speaking at the Thomas Paine Study Centre at the UEABritish astronaut Michael Foale speaking at the Thomas Paine Study Centre at the UEA (Image: Rose McNelly)

Dr Foale spoke for more than an hour and revealed he watched tense space movie Apollo 13 while aboard the ISS.

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The audience also heard how Mr Foale learned Russian in just a year and a half to join cosmonauts on a Russian space mission.

Eastern Daily Press: British astronaut Michael Foale, who spent more than a year in space, gave a talk at the UEA in NorwichBritish astronaut Michael Foale, who spent more than a year in space, gave a talk at the UEA in Norwich (Image: PA Wire)

He explained they were suspicious at first as they thought he’d steal their secrets. Now they meet up every few years.

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The 66-year-old, who was made a CBE in 2004, revealed he had one moment when he briefly thought he might die after something hit the ISS - but his training soon kicked in.

Eastern Daily Press: Dr Michael Foale, pictured at the National Space Station in Leicester, was made a CBE in 2004Dr Michael Foale, pictured at the National Space Station in Leicester, was made a CBE in 2004 (Image: PA Wire)

The crowd had a chance to ask questions and take photos with Dr Foale, with Rose adding: “It was a really good evening. It went down really well.

“I think some of the young ones are definitely budding astronauts.”