In a historic space odyssey, NASA astronaut Frank Rubio, along with two Russian cosmonauts, has successfully returned to Earth after an unexpectedly extended stay in space. Rubio’s extended mission marked a significant milestone as it surpassed the previous record for the longest space mission by a U.S. astronaut.

Originally scheduled for a 180-day mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS), Rubio and his cosmonaut colleagues encountered a series of unexpected challenges that prolonged their stay beyond the intended duration. These challenges arose when their initial Soyuz capsule was struck by space debris, resulting in a radiator break that endangered the spacecraft’s cooling system.

Engineers made the difficult decision to send the damaged capsule back to Earth empty to avoid potential overheating of electronic components. The team had to await the launch of a replacement Soyuz capsule in order to safely return. This replacement capsule, carrying Rubio, Prokopyev, and Petelin, was launched in February.

Rubio’s extended stay in space not only helped NASA establish a new endurance record for U.S. space missions but also captured international attention. His 371-day mission stands as a remarkable achievement in the history of American space exploration, surpassing the previous record of 355 days set by Mark Vande Hei. However, Russia still holds the world record for the longest space mission with a duration of 437 days achieved in the mid-1990s.

Upon their safe return to Earth, Rubio and his fellow astronauts were greeted with applause and gratitude from the international space community. Denmark’s newly appointed ISS Commander, Andreas Mogensen, expressed heartfelt sentiments acknowledging their dedication and the importance of being reunited with their families.

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– Original article: Reuters