Scott Kelly breaks U.S. record for most days spent in space
Digital Reporter
Sunday, October 18, 2015, 1:31 PM - Not only was it amazing to wake up to a breathtaking view of the Himalayas, but on Friday astronaut Scott Kelly broke the U.S. record for most days spent in space.
It was his 383rd day living in zero gravity.
"Records are meant to be broken," Kelly Tweeted.
Records are meant to be broken. Look fwd to one of my colleagues surpassing my end 500+ days on our #JourneyToMars! https://t.co/6SrbC8kIBP
— Scott Kelly (@StationCDRKelly) October 16, 2015
Aboard the International Space Station, Kelly is now more than halfway through a year-long mission.
"Breaking such a record for time in space is important because every additional day helps us better understand how long-duration spaceflight affects bodies and minds, which is critical to advancing NASA’s journey to Mars," NASA reported.
Kelly is set to break another record on October 29 for the single-longest space flight by an American. It will be his 216th consecutive day in space.
Day 200. Sometimes a little light makes all the difference. #GoodNight from @Space_Station #YearInSpace pic.twitter.com/qkFtdtKLkb
— Scott Kelly (@StationCDRKelly) October 13, 2015
Kelly launched on March 27 from Kazakhstan along with two cosmonauts, one of which is Russian astronaut Mikhail Kornienko, who is also scheduled to stay in space for the one-year mission.
Kelly and his former astronaut twin Mark, on the ground, are part of an experiment on the long-term effects of space on the body.
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The record-breaking astronaut is scheduled to return to Earth on March 3, 2016, by which time he will have spent 522 days in space, according to NASA.
Kelly's record surpasses U.S. astronaut Mike Fincke's record of 382 cumulative days. Meanwhile, Expedition 44 commander Gennady Padalka broke the world record on June 28, as he reached 804 days spent in orbit. He returned to Earth on September 12, with a total of 878 days working and living in space.
In celebration of Kelly's achievement, here are a few stunning photos from his #EarthArt series.
#EarthArt Across the Greatest Desert- #Sahara #YearInSpace pic.twitter.com/1C3TqDybjt
— Scott Kelly (@StationCDRKelly) October 17, 2015
#EarthArt Across the Greatest Desert- #Sahara #YearInSpace pic.twitter.com/zHYVagsxt2
— Scott Kelly (@StationCDRKelly) October 17, 2015
More #EarthArt from the other side of the #Himalayas. #YearInSpace pic.twitter.com/FgEGNASibr
— Scott Kelly (@StationCDRKelly) October 16, 2015