Russian cosmonaut Oleg Kononenko has set a new record for the person who has spent the longest time in space. As of february 4, 2024, Kononenko has spent a total of 878 days and 12 hours in space. He is currently aboard the international Space Station (ISS) and is expected to reach a milestone of spending a thousand days in space upon his return to Earth.
Oleg Kononenko, aged 59, has been to the ISS five times since 2008. The previous record for the longest time spent in space was held by Russian cosmonaut Gennady Padalka, who spent 878 days, 11 hours, 29 minutes, and 48 seconds in space in 2015.
Kononenko expressed his joy at achieving his childhood dream of becoming an astronaut and mentioned that he did not go to space to set records but to fulfill his lifelong dream. He shared that becoming an astronaut was a dream he had since childhood.
By the end of his current expedition, Oleg Kononenko is expected to become the first person to spend 1,000 days in space. The international Space Station remains a significant platform for collaboration between the united states and Russia, despite geopolitical tensions. The Cross-Flight program, allowing astronauts from both countries to visit the ISS, has been extended to 2025 as of december 2023.
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