NASA astronaut Frank Rubio and two Russian cosmonauts, Sergey Prokopyev and Dmitri Petelin, have successfully concluded their extended mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS). The trio spent an astonishing 367 days in space, marking a remarkable milestone in space travel.
Record-Breaking Mission
The prolonged stay on the ISS was a result of a series of delays and setbacks, including the failure of a Russian rocket engine that forced the cosmonauts to extend their mission. Despite these challenges, the crew remained in good health and continued conducting scientific experiments and maintaining the station's systems.
The mission was also notable for being the longest single spaceflight in US history, surpassing the previous record held by NASA astronauts Scott Kelly and Mikhail Kornienko, who spent 340 days aboard the ISS from 2015 to 2016.
Return to Earth
On Friday, the Soyuz MS-22 spacecraft carrying Rubio and the Russian cosmonauts successfully landed in Kazakhstan after a 3-hour and 17-minute journey from the ISS. The landing marked the end of an incredible journey for the crew, who were overjoyed to be returning home after a prolonged period in space.
According to NASA, the crew's return was a complex operation that required precise timing and coordination between the ISS and the Soyuz spacecraft. The landing site in Kazakhstan was chosen for its remote location and favorable weather conditions.
Recovery and Reunion
After landing, the crew was greeted by recovery teams from NASA and Roscosmos, the Russian space agency. The trio will undergo a series of medical checks and debriefings before being reunited with their families and loved ones.
Rubio's family has expressed relief and joy at his safe return, saying they were anxious to have him back home after such a long and challenging mission.
The return of Rubio and the Russian cosmonauts marks the end of a remarkable chapter in space exploration. Their extended mission has provided invaluable insights into the effects of prolonged space travel on the human body and has paved the way for future long-duration spaceflights.
As NASA and Roscosmos look to the future, they are already planning for the next generation of space missions, including the upcoming Artemis program that aims to return humans to the lunar surface by 2025.