An American astronaut and two Russian cosmonauts returned to Earth on Wednesday after being stuck in space for more than a year. The trio had to stay longer on the International Space Station after their original return capsule was hit by space junk.
The astronauts landed in a remote area of Kazakhstan in a replacement Soyuz capsule that was launched in February. Russian engineers suspect that a piece of space junk pierced the radiator of their original capsule late last year, causing it to lose all its coolant.
The astronauts’ mission was originally supposed to last 180 days, but it turned into a 371-day stay. American astronaut Frank Rubio spent more than two weeks longer in space than Mark Vande Hei, who held NASA’s previous endurance record for a single spaceflight.
Russia holds the world record for the longest spaceflight, at 437 days.
Implications for space exploration
The astronauts’ extended stay in space is a reminder of the challenges of space exploration. Space junk, which is debris that has been left in orbit around Earth, is a major concern for astronauts and space agencies. Space junk can travel at speeds of up to 17,500 miles per hour, and even a small piece of debris can cause significant damage to a spacecraft.
The astronauts’ extended stay in space also highlights the importance of international cooperation in space exploration. NASA and the Russian space agency, Roscosmos, have been working together on the International Space Station for over two decades. This cooperation is essential for ensuring the safety of astronauts and the success of space missions.
The astronauts’ return to Earth is a good reminder of the progress that has been made in space exploration. It is also a reminder of the challenges that remain. NASA and other space agencies are working to develop new technologies to reduce the risk of space junk and to make space exploration safer for astronauts.
