Meet Frank Rubio, NASA astronaut who sets record with 371-day spaceflight
space exploration, NASA astronaut Frank Rubio, along with two Russian cosmonauts, has returned to Earth after an unprecedented 371-day mission. Rubio's name now shines in the annals of space history for achieving the longest US spaceflight.
Their extraordinary journey concluded with a safe descent in a remote region of Kazakhstan, made possible by a Soyuz capsule that had to be rapidly substituted for their original spacecraft after it was struck by space debris, leading to the loss of its vital cooling system while docked at the International Space Station.
Originally slated for a 180-day mission, the mission extended to 371 days, with Rubio's time in space exceeding that of Mark Vande Hei, the previous NASA record holder, by over two weeks. It's important to note that Russia still holds the world record for the longest spaceflight, a remarkable 437-day mission achieved in the mid-1990s.
Frank Rubio, 47 years old, is not only an astronaut but also an Army doctor and an accomplished helicopter pilot.
This mission was a significant milestone in his career, as he set the new record for the longest US spaceflight. His dedication to this journey meant missing crucial family milestones, including his eldest child's first year at the US Naval Academy and another child's departure for West Point.
Rubio candidly shared his experiences, revealing that the psychological challenges of an extended stay in space were more demanding than he had initially expected.
