Record-Breaking Earth-to-Space Call
In a historic Earth-to-Space call scheduled for 12:05 p.m. EDT on Wednesday, September 13, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson and Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy will engage in a conversation with agency astronaut Frank Rubio.
The discussion centers around Rubio’s remarkable mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS), marking a new record in American spaceflight history.
Tune In to Witness History
The call, providing a glimpse into life aboard the ISS and the incredible achievements of American astronauts, will be broadcast live on NASA TV, the NASA App, and the agency’s official website. Interested viewers can watch this groundbreaking conversation online at https://www.nasa.gov/live.
Rubio’s Record-Setting Journey
Frank Rubio, currently on a year-long mission aboard the orbiting laboratory, has officially surpassed NASA astronaut Mark Vande Hei’s previous U.S. record of 355 days in space for the longest single spaceflight by an American.
When Rubio returns to Earth later this month, he will have spent an astonishing 371 days in space. To explore more NASA station astronaut records, refer to the agency’s official website.
Pioneering Continuous Space Living
For over 22 years, astronauts have continuously inhabited and operated on the space station, conducting critical experiments, advancing scientific knowledge, and honing skills essential for deep space exploration.
Now, let’s focus on Frank Rubio, a member of NASA’s 2017 Astronaut Candidate Class, who began his mission in September 2022 and will conclude it in September 2023, achieving the longest single-duration spaceflight for a U.S. astronaut.
A Diverse Background in Service
Frank Rubio, a native of Florida, brings a diverse background to this historic mission. He graduated from the U.S. Military Academy in 1998 and earned a Doctorate of Medicine from the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in 2010.
Before attending medical school, Rubio served as a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter pilot, accumulating more than 1,100 flight hours, including over 600 hours in combat and imminent danger zones during deployments to Bosnia, Afghanistan, and Iraq.
Dr. Rubio is a board-certified family physician and flight surgeon. At the time of his selection as an astronaut, he was serving in the 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) at Fort Carson, CO.
This remarkable Earth-to-Space call marks another milestone in the history of space exploration, as NASA’s astronauts continue to push the boundaries of human endurance and knowledge beyond the confines of our planet.
