Russian cosmonaut Oleg Kononenko broke the world record for total time spent in space, surpassing his compatriot Gennady Padalka. Kononenko is expected to reach a total of 1,000 days in space on June 5 and by late September he will have clocked 1,110 days.
The 59-year-old, currently aboard the International Space Station (ISS), expressed pride in the record. Kononenko, emphasizing his love for space over setting records, stated that he is proud that a Russian cosmonaut still holds the record for the longest duration in space.
According to Reuters, he took the top spot from Padalka, who logged 878 days. Despite advances in technology, he highlighted the increasing complexity of cosmonaut preparation.
Kononenko acknowledged the challenges of being away from family and the impact on his children's lives. The ISS, a key collaboration between the U.S. and Russia, has seen its cross-flight program extended until 2025.
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