Astronaut Frank Rubio has made history by returning to Earth after spending over a year in space. The NASA astronaut’s remarkable journey has left an indelible mark on space exploration.
On Wednesday morning, NASA astronaut Frank Rubio completed his 371-day mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS), marking a significant milestone in human spaceflight. Joe Acabá, the Puerto Rican chief astronaut of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), warmly welcomed Rubio upon his arrival in the city of Dzhezkazgan, Kazakhstan, at approximately 6:18 local time. For now, Rubio and his fellow crew members, Commander Sergei Prokopyev and co-pilot Dmitri Petelin, will undergo initial medical evaluations before heading back to their homes, as announced by the space agency.
“The longest flight for any of our NASA astronauts, Frank Rubio has returned to Earth after 371 days,” stated the institution, emphasizing that Rubio’s extended duration in space will play a crucial role in shaping the future of deep space exploration.
Beginning of the Journey
When the trio embarked on their mission in September 2022 to the International Space Station (ISS), they anticipated a six-month stay aboard the massive laboratory, the standard duration for a long-term crew. However, a coolant leak rendered their Soyuz MS-22/68S spacecraft unusable in December, prompting the Russians to launch a replacement, the Soyuz MS-23/69S, in February of the following year. This meant that Prokopyev, Petelin, and Rubio had to spend an additional six months in space to realign the Russian crew rotation schedule.
Rubio’s Record-Breaking Achievement
Rubio’s achievement surpassed the previous record of 355 days, three hours, and 45 minutes held by astronaut Mark Vande Hei in 2022. He also outshone Scott Kelly, who spent 340 consecutive days in space between 2015 and 2016, and Christina Koch, the American astronaut and engineer who spent 328 days aboard the International Space Station from March 2019 to February 2020.
The return of the Salvadoran-born astronaut was broadcast live on a large screen in the town where Frank’s mother resides. Besides her, the moment was witnessed by students from various educational institutions, government officials, mayors, lawmakers, and both national and international media who diligently followed the astronaut’s return since the early hours of the morning.
As the images of Rubio disembarking from the spacecraft played out, his mother approached the screen, trying to feel closer to her son. Amidst applause, tears, smiles, and a whirlwind of mixed emotions, Mirna expressed her gratitude at seeing her son back on Earth after more than a year aboard the NASA International Space Station.
Frank Rubio’s journey has not only etched his name into the annals of space exploration but also brought immense pride and joy to his family, his country, and the entire world.