After only three days back on Earth, British astronaut Tim Peake is already talking about a return trip to outer space.

"I would do it again in a heartbeat," a beaming Peake said at a press conference at the European Astronaut Centre in Cologne, Germany on Tuesday. "I've already spoke to my wife about it, she's extremely supportive."

Peake, who returned from a 186-day mission aboard the International Space Station on Saturday, says he is still adjusting to life back on terra firma.

"It's amazing, again how quickly the human body adapts to a new environment," Peake said of his return. "It's something I experienced when I first went up into space and was amazed, after just 24 hours living on board the space station, how quickly I was able to function."

The adjustment is not so easy, he said, on his return.

"It's a bit slower coming the other way and it's a bit harder."

To readjust, Peake is undergoing rehabilitation training at the EAC, which includes cycling, cross-training and balance exercises.

"Even just after three days I'm feeling fantastic," he said.

The descent

At the press conference, Peake took some time to describe the finale of his trip: the descent from outer space.

"The descent is a really exciting ride," Peake said.

According to the now-experienced astronaut, during the ride "you've got two minds."

One is the mind of a professional astronaut who wants to analyze everything that's happening to the re-entry craft, while the second is "the boy inside you enjoying this fantastic ride back from space."

"The spacecraft really does blow itself apart," he said, describing how it breaks into three parts as it returns to the Earth's atmosphere. "When a solid spacecraft is designed to break into three parts it doesn't do it quietly."

He described it sounding like a "very heavy machine gun," and said that when he looked out the window he could see sparks and flames flying off the craft – which was to be expected.

"You get a really strong sensation that you are just falling back to the planet," he said, describing the feeling of gravity taking hold after six months living in a weightless environment.

What's next

While Peake is already dreaming of his next trip to space, for now he plans to enjoy the simple pleasures of Earth.

"It's everything that I missed when I was in space," he said. "You do miss the fresh air and the smells and everything – it's nice to be back in a very familiar environment."

And, as a husband and father, he plans to spend some much-needed time with his family.

Peake was only the second British astronaut to fly to space. The first was Helen Sharman in 1991.

He hopes his six-month mission will encourage children to get involved in science and even pursue a career as an astronaut.

"Working and living on board the International Space Station is the best place you could possibly wish as a professional to be," he said. "You're in a new environment where you're so well supported, you're very aware that you're doing absolutely cutting edge technology."

For any Canadian residents inspired by Peake's mission, the Canadian Space Agency is currently looking for its next two astronauts. Find out how to apply here.