Scott Kelly Is US Record-Holder For Longest Time In Space---383 Days
After being suspended in space for 383 days away from earth, NASA's Scott Kelly has broken the US record. He has spent the longest time in space. Even as he travels halfway through his mission, he has reportedly the "longest single space mission" while he is on an International Space Station, according to the Associated Press.
He has broken the record of astronaut Mike Fincke and is above the Himalayas. The goal was to stay on in space for a year so that scientists can check out how his body will adapt to its foreign environment in long-winded space flights.
"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," said NASA Friday, according to CNN.
He 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
Interestingly, scientists are watching and studying his identical twin on Earth, Mark Kelly.
Other cosmonauts Oleg Kononenko and Sergei Volkov are also spending time at the Russian Federal Space Agency. NASA's crew includes Kjell Lindgren and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency includes Kimiya Yui, according to the Inquisitr.
However, the world record holder is Gennady Padalka of Russia, who spent 879 days in space.
HisScott Kelley's Twitter followers can see his amazing shots from space even while he was on his mission.
"Showy strokes of #sunrise to start your #Sunday! Good morning from @space_station! #YearInSpace pic.twitter.com/mcWt7V6r48" - Scott Kelly (@StationCDRKelly) October 18, 2015
"#EarthArt Across the Greatest Desert- #Sahara #YearInSpace pic.twitter.com/1C3TqDybjt - Scott Kelly (@StationCDRKelly)" October 17, 2015
"There are a bunch of little lakes in the desert North East of the #Himalayas I must visit some day. #YearInSpace pic.twitter.com/iGJ4Pxrl3D" - Scott Kelly (@StationCDRKelly) October 16, 2015
