Astronaut Frank Rubio recently surpassed the existing record for the longest mission in space by an American, having spent over 355 days aboard the International Space Station (ISS). During a live conversation broadcasted by NASA, Rubio shared mixed feelings about his extended stay in space, describing it as a “tremendous challenge” yet an “incredible blessing” at the same time.
With eyes set on the 365-day milestone, Rubio, a physician and a trained helicopter pilot, voiced his excitement for what this achievement signifies for the US space program. “Achieving this milestone would be a proud moment for our nation,” he mentioned, evidently eager to contribute to America’s space exploration legacy.
Previously, Mark Vande held the US record with a 355-day space stint in 2022, while globally, the record is held by Russian cosmonaut Valeri Polyakov, who spent 437 days in space. According to the schedule, Rubio is set to return to Earth on September 27, concluding a staggering 371-day mission.
Rubio’s journey began last year when he was part of a three-person team that traveled to the ISS via a Russian Soyuz rocket. Initially slated for a six-month mission, Rubio’s stay was unexpectedly extended due to a leak in their rocket, suspected to be caused by a small meteorite impact. This incident necessitated a change in plans, with the Russian space agency, Roscosmos, deciding to bring the damaged rocket back and send a replacement one without a crew.
Owing to these developments, Rubio along with his colleagues took over the duties of the crew who were initially scheduled to be on the second rocket. During his extended tenure in space, Rubio had the unique opportunity to witness the arrival and departure of numerous crews, interacting with a diverse group of 28 individuals from different nationalities.
Reflecting on his unique position, Rubio remarked, “It’s pretty incredible that I’ve met almost five percent of all people who have ever been to space.” Up in the ISS, Rubio has been engrossed in various experiments in low Earth orbit. He acknowledged that sometimes the intensity of work makes him forget the remarkable reality of floating in space and the breathtaking views it offers.
He likened the ISS to a five-bedroom house in terms of space, admitting that living in such close quarters for a year posed a psychological challenge. Rubio’s journey is indeed a noteworthy addition to the annals of space exploration, drawing him close to the cumulative record set by former astronaut Peggy Whitson, who spent 675 days in space over several missions.