The first recipients of the pin - Helen Sharman and Richard Garriott - had private funds backing their missions.

BBC: Honour given to 'UK astronauts'

Helen Sharman was the first Briton in space in 1991, but she had to raise the money needed to fly on a Russian spacecraft herself.

BBC: Major Tim Peake says he is not too old to go into space

The British Interplanetary Society has commissioned 10 silver pins, and Dr Patrick is the fourth person to receive one after Helen Sharman, Richard Garriott and Piers Sellers.

BBC: 'UK spaceman' Nicholas Patrick honoured

Helen Sharman was the first Briton to go into space in 1991 on Project Juno, a cooperative project between a number of UK companies and the Soviet government.

BBC: UK astronaut Tim Peake to go to International Space Station

Helen Sharman flew to the Mir space station in 1991 as part of a venture known as Project Juno, which was organised with the help of a number of British companies.

BBC: Honour given to 'UK astronauts'