Russian cosmonaut Oleg Kononenko has made history by becoming the first person to spend 1,000 days in space, according to Russia’s space agency Roscosmos. The 59-year-old achieved this remarkable milestone on Tuesday during his current mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS).
Kononenko’s spacefaring career began in 2008, and this is his fifth journey to the ISS. His latest mission commenced on September 15, 2023, when he launched alongside NASA astronaut Loral O’Hara and fellow Russian cosmonaut Nikolai Chub.
Previously, Kononenko surpassed fellow Russian Gennady Padalka’s record of 878 days, 11 hours, 29 minutes, and 48 seconds in February 2024. If his mission concludes as scheduled on September 23, 2024, Kononenko will have accumulated a total of 1,110 days in orbit.
“There’s this awareness that you have achieved something new and important, that you’ve overcome a certain milestone, touched the unknown,” Kononenko told Russian state news agency TASS. “It gives you confidence, and pride in the work you’ve done.” He added that his American colleagues on the ISS were among the first to congratulate him on his achievement.
The ISS remains a beacon of international cooperation, especially between Russia and the United States, even amid geopolitical tensions. Despite challenges, both nations continue to collaborate closely in space exploration. In December, Roscosmos announced that its cross-flight program with NASA, which transports astronauts to the ISS, has been extended until 2025.
Kononenko’s record not only highlights personal endurance but also underscores the ongoing commitment to human space exploration—a pursuit that inspires and unites people around the world, including those across Asia who are increasingly engaged in space science and technology.
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Russian cosmonaut becomes first person to spend 1,000 days in space
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