Frank Rubio Sets New NASA Record for Longest Time in Earth Orbit: An Unplanned Extension Turns Historic

Former U.S. Army veteran and NASA astronaut Frank Rubio has set a new American record by spending 355 days aboard the International Space Station. This achievement surpasses the previous record held by Mark Vande. Rubio’s stay was unexpectedly extended due to a leak in the Soyuz spacecraft’s docking module, which also brought two cosmonauts to the ISS.

Although he hasn’t broken the global record of 437 days set by Russian cosmonaut Valeri Polyakov, Rubio’s expected return on September 27 will mark 371 total days in space, making a lasting impact on space exploration history.