Produced by: Tarun Mishra Designed by: Muskan Arora
Russian cosmonaut Oleg Kononenko has made history by setting a new world record for the most time spent in space, surpassing his compatriot Gennady Padalka's milestone of over 878 days and 12 hours outside Earth's atmosphere.
Kononenko celebrated this remarkable achievement aboard the International Space Station, emphasizing his lifelong dream of becoming a cosmonaut and his passion for space exploration.
Speaking to Russian news agency TASS, Kononenko expressed his pride in his accomplishments and his dedication to spaceflight, stating that his motivation stems from his childhood aspirations and love for space.
As the commander of the Russian space agency Roscosmos cosmonaut corps, Kononenko is on his fifth space mission, along with fellow cosmonaut Nikolai Chub and NASA astronaut Loral O'Hara.
Kononenko is set to achieve another significant milestone on June 5, this year, when he completes 1,000 days in space, becoming the first person to reach this remarkable feat. Additionally, upon completing his current expedition on September 23, he will have spent 1,110 days in space.
Despite the extraordinary achievement, Kononenko shared the challenges of space life, including the difficulty of being away from his children for extended periods. He highlighted the importance of regular communication and exercise to maintain mental and physical well-being.
The International Space Station remains one of the few areas of close cooperation between the United States and Russia, with a cross-flight program with NASA extended until 2025. Despite tensions in other areas, space collaboration persists.