Gennady Padalka, the 57 year old, Russian astronaut who lately completed his mission in space, lasting 168 days, made a world record of spending a total of 879 days in space spanning over five trips. The previous record was made by another Russian astronaut, 10 years ago in 6 trips, which was 2 months less the record recently made.
Padalka graduated as a pilot and was commissioned as a colonel in the Russian air force. His first space journey was in 1998 to the Mir space station of Russia. Padalka has participated in ten spacewalks.
Six astronauts are still present in the international Space Station (ISS), two of which have embarked on a 12 month duty tour making it the longest continuous stay aboard the 250 mile high orbiting platform.
Padalka graduated as a pilot and was commissioned as a colonel in the Russian air force. His first space journey was in 1998 to the Mir space station of Russia. Padalka has participated in ten spacewalks.
Six astronauts are still present in the international Space Station (ISS), two of which have embarked on a 12 month duty tour making it the longest continuous stay aboard the 250 mile high orbiting platform.