Russian cosmonaut Oleg Kononenko sets world record for the longest time spent in space
Russian cosmonaut Oleg Kononenko has broken the world record for the most cumulative time spent in space, Russia’s space agency Roscosmos reported Sunday.
Russian cosmonaut breaks world record
Russian cosmonaut Oleg Kononenko has set a new world record for spending the most cumulative time in space. He has spent over 878 days and 12 hours in space, surpassing the previous record set by fellow Russian Gennady Padalka. Kononenko has made five journeys to the International Space Station since 2008.
Kononenko stated that he had always dreamed of becoming a cosmonaut and that the opportunity to fly into space and work in orbit motivates him to continue flying. He is currently on his latest trip to the International Space Station, and by the end of the expedition, he is expected to become the first person to accumulate 1,000 days in space.
Cooperation between the US and Russia
The International Space Station is one of the few areas where the United States and Russia still cooperate closely. Despite tensions due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Roscosmos announced that its cross-flight program with NASA transporting astronauts to the ISS has been extended until 2025. This program allows both countries to continue their collaborative efforts in space exploration.
The United States and Russia have a long history of cooperation in space, dating back to the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project in 1975. Despite political differences, space exploration and scientific advancements have proven to be areas of common interest.
