Title: NASA Astronaut Frank Rubio Sets Record for Longest Continuous Spaceflight
Subtitle: Unexpected Challenges Lead to Extended Stay Aboard the International Space Station
by [Author Name]
[date]
NASA astronaut Frank Rubio has recently broken the record for the longest continuous period of time spent in space by a NASA astronaut. Rubio, who had initially planned to return home in spring 2023, was unexpectedly thrust into a unique situation due to a micrometeoroid strike that damaged the Soyuz spacecraft docked to the International Space Station.
During the accident, the spacecraft’s cooling system was ruptured, resulting in a spray of coolant into space. As a result, engineers discovered that Rubio’s return journey in the Soyuz spacecraft, alongside Russian crewmates Sergey Prokopyev and Dmitri Petelin, would be unsafe due to potential overheating in the crew compartment. Consequently, the damaged vehicle was sent back to Earth without anyone on board, and a replacement Soyuz was sent to the space station.
With the arrival of the replacement Soyuz, Rubio and his Russian colleagues were informed that they would have to complete the mission initially assigned to the crew members who were meant to fly on the Soyuz MS-23. This unexpected development required Rubio to extend his stay in space, flying not one, but two six-month increments.
“The challenge was unexpected,” Rubio shared during a video call with NASA Administrator Bill Nelson and Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy. Despite missing important personal moments, including a college graduation and his son’s departure to West Point, Rubio expressed his appreciation for the extra time spent in space.
Rubio has now broken the record set by Mark Vande Hei in 2021 and 2022 by spending a total of 371 days in space. As a flight surgeon, Rubio has been diligent in maintaining his physical fitness during his extended stay. His exercise routine involves approximately 75 minutes of resistance training each day to preserve bone density, as well as 30 to 45 minutes of cardiovascular activity on a stationary bike or treadmill.
The prolonged duration of Rubio’s mission has allowed him and his Russian colleagues to live and work alongside 28 colleagues from different countries, fostering a sense of diversity and camaraderie. The International Space Station has also seen visits from five different Crew Dragon missions during Rubio’s tenure, including the private Axiom 2 mission.
The data gathered from Rubio’s mission will be instrumental in assisting NASA as it prepares for long-duration missions beyond low-Earth orbit. Rubio, who joined NASA in 2017, may be among the astronauts selected for these future missions.
Nelson praised Rubio for his dedication and professionalism in willingly undertaking the year-long mission. “We are grateful for the great science he has carried out on his record-breaking stay and can’t wait to welcome him home in a couple of weeks,” he said.
As Rubio prepares to return to Earth, he expressed excitement about seeing how his body has adapted to microgravity and noted the importance of understanding its effects on human health. Rubio’s historic achievement serves as a testament to the resilience and commitment of astronauts pushing the boundaries of human exploration in space.