In an unexpected turn of events, NASA astronaut Frank Rubio is about to make history by spending an entire year in space, breaking the previous record for the longest continuous stay in space by an American astronaut.
Rubio's journey, which began with a routine six-month mission to the International Space Station (ISS), took an unexpected twist when a micrometeoroid struck the Soyuz spacecraft he and two Russian cosmonauts were scheduled to return to Earth in. The incident led to an extended stay aboard the ISS as engineers determined the spacecraft was not safe for the return journey.
Originally planning to return home in time to see his wife, Deborah, and four children by spring 2023, Rubio's mission was extended to an unprecedented 371 days due to the Soyuz spacecraft incident. This milestone surpasses the previous record of 355 days set by Mark Vande Hei in 2021 and 2022.
During his extended mission, Rubio experienced both the challenges and joys of prolonged spaceflight. He missed significant family moments, including a college graduation and his son's departure for West Point. However, he also relished the unique experiences and diversity of crewmates aboard the ISS, including colleagues from Italy, Japan, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, as well as participants from five different Crew Dragon missions and the private Axiom 2 mission.
"Just having that diversity up here was such a unique feeling," Rubio noted.
In a recent video call with NASA Administrator Bill Nelson and Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy, Rubio shared his insights about his time in space. He described the experience as both challenging and rewarding, emphasizing the importance of diversity in the international crew and the unique feeling it brought to the mission.
Rubio, a flight surgeon with a doctorate in medicine, was acutely aware of the physical toll that prolonged exposure to microgravity can take on the human body. To maintain his physical health in space, he followed a rigorous exercise routine, spending approximately 75 minutes per day on a resistance machine to preserve bone density and an additional 30 to 45 minutes on a stationary bike or treadmill for cardiovascular activity.
Upon returning to Earth, Rubio is eager to see how his body responds to the stresses of space and microgravity. As a medical professional, he is interested in the impact of long-duration space missions on the human body and how this information can inform future missions beyond low-Earth orbit.
“As a doctor, I'm really excited to see how my body does when I return," Rubio shared
NASA Administrator Bill Nelson commended Rubio for his dedication and professionalism in the face of unexpected challenges, acknowledging the sacrifices astronauts make by spending extended periods away from their families. Nelson expressed gratitude for the valuable scientific contributions Rubio has made during his record-breaking mission and expressed anticipation for his return in the coming weeks.
Frank Rubio, who joined NASA in 2017, may well be among the astronauts who participate in the agency's future long-duration missions as NASA continues to expand its horizons in space exploration.
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