NASA astronaut Frank Rubio and his Russian crewmates are set to conclude their record-breaking year in space on September 27, marking an unexpected extension to their mission. Originally planned for a six-month stay, Rubio and his crew found themselves remaining in orbit due to a leak in their intended return spacecraft in December 2022.
Speaking about the challenges of a year in space, Rubio mentioned the difficulty of maintaining mental sharpness and being prepared for emergencies. Despite these obstacles, Rubio expressed his gratitude for his family’s support, highlighting their resilience throughout his extended stay on the International Space Station (ISS).
Rubio and the Russian cosmonauts Sergey Prokopyev and Dmitri Petelin launched on September 21, 2022, aboard the Soyuz MS-22 spacecraft. When the initial spacecraft experienced a coolant loss incident, a replacement Soyuz (MS-23) arrived safely on February 25, but a relief crew could not join until yet another Soyuz (MS-24) was ready.
Rubio officially broke the U.S. record for continuous days in space on September 11, surpassing NASA astronaut Mark Vande Hei’s previous record of 355 days. Vande Hei, who embarked on his six-month mission in 2021, joined Rubio in emphasizing the significance of the people they spent time with in space and the unique experiences they shared.
With the upcoming launch of the MS-24 crew on September 15, Rubio and his crew will soon join the elite group of individuals who have spent over a year in space continuously. The remarkable journey of Rubio and his Russian counterparts serves as a testament to the dedication and resilience of astronauts pushing the boundaries of human exploration.
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