Salvadoran-American astronaut Frank Rubio has provided his initial remarks following his arrival in the country, where he will engage in diverse meetings with sectors related to technology and development to share his experiences.
Rubio expressed his delight in returning to his mother’s homeland, emphasizing his deep connection with Salvadoran culture, particularly its hardworking spirit and determination to progress. He also commended the positive changes witnessed in the country in recent years.
«It’s incredible to witness the transformations in the country, and I’m thrilled to be back here. Salvadoran culture has significantly shaped my upbringing. It’s a great honor to represent this country, its people, and its values,» commented Rubio.
Furthermore, Rubio highlighted his scheduled meetings with El Salvador’s science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) sector to exchange insights and experiences. He urged Salvadorans to collaborate towards a better future for the nation’s youth.
«This week, I’ll have the opportunity to personally engage with individuals working in the technology sector in El Salvador. I’ve learned the value of teamwork. No one ventures into space alone. It requires the collective efforts of many individuals. The unity and diligence of Salvadorans will pave the way for opportunities, allowing Salvadoran youth to reach space in the near future,» detailed Rubio.
In 2023, Frank Rubio set a record as the astronaut with the most cumulative days spent in space during an official NASA mission, totaling 371 days on a single spaceflight, surpassing the achievement of astronaut Mark Van de Hei, who spent 355 days in orbit.
Rubio returned from a mission at the International Space Station (ISS) on Wednesday, September 27, 2023, after departing on September 21, 2022, aboard the Soyuz MS-22 spacecraft with Russian cosmonauts Sergey Prokopyev and Dmitri Petelin. However, due to a coolant leak, their return to Earth was delayed.
Recently, Rubio was bestowed with the distinguished title of Army Astronaut by the United States Army, one of the rarest and highest accolades bestowed upon military personnel. The only two astronauts to receive this distinction prior to Rubio were Andrew Morgan and Anne McClain.