Two Russian cosmonauts have successfully returned to Earth following a record-breaking 374-day mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS). The Soyuz MS-25 capsule, carrying Oleg Kononenko and Nikolai Chub, touched down in Kazakhstan’s steppe at 16:59 local time (11:59 GMT) on Monday. Joining them on the journey back was NASA astronaut Tracy Dyson, who had spent 184 days in space after launching to the ISS in March.
Russian Cosmonauts Set New Space Duration Record
During their mission, Kononenko and Chub set a new record for the longest continuous stay on the ISS. Oleg Kononenko, aged 69, achieved an extraordinary milestone, accumulating a total of 1,111 days in space over five separate missions. This marks the longest cumulative time any individual has spent in space. However, the record for the longest single space mission remains with Valery Polyakov, who spent 438 days in orbit aboard the Mir space station between 1994 and 1995.
US-Russia Space Collaboration Continues Despite Tensions
Despite the ongoing geopolitical tensions surrounding the Ukraine conflict, the collaboration between the United States and Russia on the ISS remains intact. Russian Soyuz spacecraft continue to provide essential transportation for astronauts to and from the station, allowing for cooperation between NASA and Roscosmos.
While Roscosmos has successfully managed its ISS operations, the Russian space agency is eyeing new partnerships with countries in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. Officials have also indicated that Russia plans to phase out its participation in the ISS, deeming the station to have outlived its usefulness. Although delays have impacted the timeline, Roscosmos has expressed its intent to establish an independent Russian space station in the near future.
As Kononenko, Chub, and Dyson return safely to Earth, their mission marks yet another milestone in international space exploration, showcasing the resilience and collaboration required to advance human presence in space.
