Astronaut Frank Rubio: Astronaut Frank Rubio has written his name into the history of American space travel. His 355-day International Space Station (ISS) stay was way longer than anyone expected. This fantastic accomplishment came with its own challenges, but it has been nothing less than a divine gift for Rubio. He told the world about it during a live chat with NASA. Rubio, a trained doctor and an experienced helicopter pilot, doesn’t just want to break records. He also wants to reach a new goal: the desired 365-day mark.
The previous U.S. record was 355 days, set by astronaut Mark Vande in 2022. Rubio has now broken that mark. But Valeri Polyakov, a Russian pilot, is still the world record holder with 437 days in space. Rubio’s mission will end on September 27. He will have been in space for an incredible 371 days.
The way Frank Rubio got to this mission that set a record was different. Rubio was supposed to stay on the ISS for six months, but a series of unplanned events made his mission last longer.
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A small asteroid might have caused a leak in a Russian Soyuz rocket meant to be used as an emergency escape vehicle. So, Rubio and the other two cosmonauts took on the task meant for the crew that was supposed to replace them. It was a challenging and vital turn of events.
During his extended stay, Rubio, a proud Latino astronaut, has shared the International Space Station (ISS) with 28 other astronauts from different countries, each adding to what we know about space travel. He was amazed by how different it was to live and do experiments in low Earth orbit, a place from which you can get amazing views of our world. He did admit, though, that the ISS’s small size can sometimes be hard on the mind. He said it was like spending a year in a humble five-bedroom house.
Rubio’s commitment to pushing the limits of human space travel helps us learn more about long trips’ physical and mental demands. His journey shows how strong, determined, and fearless astronauts are who go beyond Earth’s limits to learn and explore. Rubio may have broken the American orbit record. Still, he has also broadened our view of the world by showing us how beautiful and fragile our home planet is when seen from space.
Our Reader’s Queries
What happened to Frank Rubio?
In 2017, NASA chose Frank Rubio to be an astronaut. After spending 371 days on the International Space Station, he returned to Earth on Sept. 27, 2023, landing in Kazakhstan. Rubio’s mission is now the longest single spaceflight ever completed by a U.S. astronaut.
What are some fun facts about Frank Rubio?
Rubio boasts an impressive 1,100 hours of flying time, with 600 of those hours spent in combat during missions in Bosnia, Iraq, and Afghanistan. In addition to his aviation experience, Rubio also holds a Doctorate of Medicine from the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences. He further honed his medical skills by completing a family medicine residency at Fort Benning. Rubio’s diverse background and extensive training make him a valuable asset in any situation.
Who is the wife of Frank Rubio?
Rubio, a member of the 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) stationed at Fort Carson, CO, hails from Miami, Florida, though he was born in Los Angeles, California. He and his wife, Deborah Rubio, are proud parents of four children.
When did Frank Rubio go to space?
On September 21, 2022, Rubio embarked on a journey to space to commemorate USU’s 50th Anniversary. He was expected to spend six months on the Space Station before returning to Earth in early Spring.