A NASA astronaut approaches a year in space, the longest time for any American

https://www.npr.org/2023/09/20/ [login to see] /nasa-frank-rubio-record-yearlong-flight
Astronaut Frank Rubio is approaching a year in space, after breaking the record for the longest space trip in history by an American.

Rubio, who is from Miami, graduated from the NASA astronaut program in 2019. He was launched into space for the first time on Sep. 21, 2022, and will reach the one-year milestone on Thursday.

Last Monday — Sept. 11 — he surpassed Mark Vande Hei's previous record of 355 days for the longest spaceflight by an American astronaut, NASA said.

"It's been a mixed emotional roller coaster to a certain degree because personally, it was an incredible challenge, and it was difficult," Rubio said Tuesday in an interview from the International Space Station. "Professionally, it was incredibly rewarding. It's a huge honor and it's a privilege to represent our office and our team this way."