In a historic moment for NASA, astronaut Frank Rubio’s record-breaking 371-day mission in space has concluded. Rubio, who now holds the distinction of the longest continuous spaceflight by an American, prepared to bid farewell to the International Space Station (ISS) and return to Earth aboard the Soyuz MS-23 spacecraft. The final moments of his extraordinary stay at the ISS were captured on a NASA live feed.

Rubio’s return to Earth had been shrouded in uncertainty for several months due to a coolant leak in the original Soyuz spacecraft scheduled for his journey home. This unforeseen setback necessitated the deployment of a replacement spacecraft, which, in turn, led to a delay in the arrival of a new team of astronauts. Consequently, what was initially planned as a six-month mission that started on September 21, 2022, after a brief three-hour flight aboard the Soyuz MS-22 spacecraft, was extended to an astonishing 371 days, a feat that etched Rubio’s name in the annals of NASA history.

Throughout his remarkable mission, Rubio traversed an astonishing 157 million miles and completed an impressive 5,963 orbits of our planet. These incredible milestones not only underscore the endurance and resilience of the astronaut but also the scientific and technological achievements of space exploration.

While Dr. Rubio hails from Miami, Florida, his heritage is deeply rooted in El Salvador. He proudly represents the first astronaut of Salvadoran origin to venture into space, highlighting the diversity and inclusivity within NASA’s astronaut corps. His remarkable journey serves as an inspiration to aspiring astronauts of Hispanic descent.

Dr. Rubio’s journey to becoming an astronaut is marked by dedication and a diverse skill set. He graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in 1998 and later earned a Doctorate of Medicine from the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in 2010. Before pursuing a medical career, he served as a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter pilot in the U.S. Army, accumulating over 1,100 flight hours, including combat deployments in Bosnia, Afghanistan, and Iraq. Additionally, he is a board-certified family physician and flight surgeon, exemplifying his commitment to both the medical field and space exploration.

Reflecting on his mission’s duration, he revealed that had he known in advance that it would span a year, he might have hesitated to accept it. Nonetheless, Rubio credited his 28 crewmates who rotated through the ISS during his tenure for providing essential camaraderie and support, keeping his spirits buoyant during the extended mission.

In his final moments aboard the ISS, Rubio expressed deep gratitude to his family, who served as his unwavering source of inspiration and support throughout his journey. Their love and encouragement undoubtedly played a pivotal role in his ability to persevere and achieve this historic milestone.

As we celebrate this remarkable achievement during Hispanic Heritage Month, Frank Rubio’s dedication, resilience, and unwavering commitment to exploration inspire us all. His name will forever be etched in the stars, symbolizing the limitless potential of human exploration beyond Earth’s bounds.