Russian cosmonaut Oleg Kononenko has achieved a stunning world milestone by spending a total of 1,000 days in space. He achieved the remarkable feat by surpassing his own record.

The 59-year-old cosmonaut, who made history in February by surpassing fellow Russian Gennady Padalka's record of 879 consecutive days in space, has now broken the total time spent in orbit.

It was previously set by Padalka at 878 days, 11 hours, 29 minutes, and 48 seconds.

Kononenko's latest space flight&nbsp;began on September 15, 2023, when he launched aboard the Soyuz MS-24 spacecraft alongside cosmonaut Nikolai Chub and NASA astronaut Loral O’Hara.

Scheduled to return in September 2024, Kononenko will have spent 1,110 days in orbit by then.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/symphony-of-joy-deaf-kids-get-back-hearing-capability-in-both-ears-after-gene-therapy-729061">Symphony of joy: Deaf kids get back hearing capability in both ears after gene therapy</a>

The Russian space agency Roscosmos announced the milestone on Telegram saying, "Today at 00:00:20 Moscow time, Roscosmos cosmonaut Oleg Kononenko for the first time in world history spent a total of 1,000 days in space flight."

Emmanuel Urquieta, former chief medical officer of the NASA-funded Translational Research Institute for Space Health (TRISH), reflected on Kononenko's achievement and told a media outlet, “It takes a special kind of person to be able to achieve such a record."

<h2>Astronauts celebrate&nbsp;Kononenko's feat&nbsp;</h2>

Astronauts and cosmonauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) celebrated Kononenko's feat by forming a "1000" behind him for a photo.&nbsp;

In a statement to the Russian state news agency TASS, Kononenko shared his sentiments while clinching the world record for maximum time in space flight.&nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/discovery-of-large-fossil-helps-scientists-uncover-200-million-year-old-dinosaur-ecosystem-729075">Discovery of large fossil helps scientists uncover 200-million-year-old dinosaur ecosystem</a>

"There's this awareness that you have achieved something new and important, that you've overcome a certain milestone, touched the unknown. It gives you confidence, and pride in the work you've done."

Watch | Cancer rate in younger people rising sharply as per new research

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/cancer-rate-in-younger-people-rising-sharply-as-per-new-research-728412/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Kononenko also thanked his US colleagues on the ISS and NASA's mission control centre in Houston, who were among the first to congratulate him on his record-setting spaceflight.

Speaking on the importance of long-term space missions, Kononenko stressed on their role in expanding humanity's understanding of our capabilities, crucial for future interplanetary flights.

(With inputs from agencies)

Russian cosmonaut Oleg Kononenko has achieved a stunning world milestone by spending a total of 1,000 days in space. He achieved the remarkable feat by surpassing his own record.

Russian cosmonaut Oleg Kononenko has achieved a stunning world milestone by spending a total of 1,000 days in space. He achieved the remarkable feat by surpassing his own record. The 59-year-old cosmonaut, who made history in February by surpassing fellow Russian Gennady Padalka's record of 879 consecutive days in space, has now broken the total time spent in orbit. It was previously set by Padalka at 878 days, 11 hours, 29 minutes, and 48 seconds. Kononenko's latest space flight began on September 15, 2023, when he launched aboard the Soyuz MS-24 spacecraft alongside cosmonaut Nikolai Chub and NASA astronaut Loral O’Hara. Scheduled to return in September 2024, Kononenko will have spent 1,110 days in orbit by then. Also Read | Symphony of joy: Deaf kids get back hearing capability in both ears after gene therapy The Russian space agency Roscosmos announced the milestone on Telegram saying, "Today at 00:00:20 Moscow time, Roscosmos cosmonaut Oleg Kononenko for the first time in world history spent a total of 1,000 days in space flight." Emmanuel Urquieta, former chief medical officer of the NASA-funded Translational Research Institute for Space Health (TRISH), reflected on Kononenko's achievement and told a media outlet, “It takes a special kind of person to be able to achieve such a record." Astronauts celebrate Kononenko's feat Astronauts and cosmonauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) celebrated Kononenko's feat by forming a "1000" behind him for a photo. In a statement to the Russian state news agency TASS, Kononenko shared his sentiments while clinching the world record for maximum time in space flight. Also Read | Discovery of large fossil helps scientists uncover 200-million-year-old dinosaur ecosystem "There's this awareness that you have achieved something new and important, that you've overcome a certain milestone, touched the unknown. It gives you confidence, and pride in the work you've done." Watch | Cancer rate in younger people rising sharply as per new research × Kononenko also thanked his US colleagues on the ISS and NASA's mission control centre in Houston, who were among the first to congratulate him on his record-setting spaceflight. Speaking on the importance of long-term space missions, Kononenko stressed on their role in expanding humanity's understanding of our capabilities, crucial for future interplanetary flights. (With inputs from agencies)

Russian Cosmonaut makes world history by spending 1,000 days in space

Russian cosmonaut Oleg Kononenko has broken the world record for the most cumulative time spent in space. The 59-year-old has now spent more than 878 days and 12 hours in space.

Russian cosmonaut sets a new record for the most time in space

Russia's space corporation said that cosmonaut Oleg Kononenko on Sunday (Feb 4) set a world record for total time spent in space, surpassing his compatriot Gennady Padalka who logged more than 878 days in orbit - the equivalent of nearly two-and-a-half years.&nbsp;

Kononenko is currently on board the International Space Station (ISS) when he celebrated the milestone. He has travelled five times since 2008. His current trip to the ISS launched last year on a Soyuz MS-24.

He told Russian news agency TASS, "I fly into space to do what I love, not to set records. I've dreamt of and aspired to become a cosmonaut since I was a child."&nbsp;

"That interest - the opportunity to fly into space, to live and work in orbit - motivates me to continue flying. I am proud of all my achievements, but I am more proud that the record for the total duration of human stay in space is still held by a Russian cosmonaut," he added.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/scientists-develop-worlds-first-3d-printed-brain-tissue-that-functions-like-human-brain-686891">Scientists develop world’s first 3D-printed brain tissue that functions like human brain</a>&nbsp;

Roscosmos said that the 59-year-old Kononenko took the top spot from Padalka, who accumulated a total of 878 days, 11 hours, 29 minutes and 48 seconds.&nbsp;

Kononenko said that he worked out on a regular basis to counteract the physical effects of "insidious" weightlessness. He further added that it was only after returning to Earth that he realised how much life he had lost out on.

"I do not feel deprived or isolated. It is only upon returning home that the realisation comes that for hundreds of days in my absence the children have been growing up without a papa. No one will return this time to me," he said.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/scientists-identify-the-first-telescope-that-may-find-alien-life-on-exoplanets-686877">Scientists identify first telescope that may find alien life on exoplanets</a>&nbsp;

He said cosmonauts could now use video calls and messaging to keep in touch with relatives but getting ready for each new space flight became more difficult due to technological advances.

"The profession of a cosmonaut is becoming more complicated. The systems and experiments are becoming more complicated. I repeat, the preparation has not become easier," he said.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Russia's space corporation said that cosmonaut Oleg Kononenko on Sunday (Feb 4) set a world record for total time spent in space, surpassing his compatriot Gennady Padalka who logged more than 878 days in orbit - the equivalent of nearly two-and-a-half years.

Russia's space corporation said that cosmonaut Oleg Kononenko on Sunday (Feb 4) set a world record for total time spent in space, surpassing his compatriot Gennady Padalka who logged more than 878 days in orbit - the equivalent of nearly two-and-a-half years. Kononenko is currently on board the International Space Station (ISS) when he celebrated the milestone. He has travelled five times since 2008. His current trip to the ISS launched last year on a Soyuz MS-24. He told Russian news agency TASS, "I fly into space to do what I love, not to set records. I've dreamt of and aspired to become a cosmonaut since I was a child." "That interest - the opportunity to fly into space, to live and work in orbit - motivates me to continue flying. I am proud of all my achievements, but I am more proud that the record for the total duration of human stay in space is still held by a Russian cosmonaut," he added. Also read: Scientists develop world’s first 3D-printed brain tissue that functions like human brain Roscosmos said that the 59-year-old Kononenko took the top spot from Padalka, who accumulated a total of 878 days, 11 hours, 29 minutes and 48 seconds. Kononenko said that he worked out on a regular basis to counteract the physical effects of "insidious" weightlessness. He further added that it was only after returning to Earth that he realised how much life he had lost out on. "I do not feel deprived or isolated. It is only upon returning home that the realisation comes that for hundreds of days in my absence the children have been growing up without a papa. No one will return this time to me," he said. Also read: Scientists identify first telescope that may find alien life on exoplanets He said cosmonauts could now use video calls and messaging to keep in touch with relatives but getting ready for each new space flight became more difficult due to technological advances. "The profession of a cosmonaut is becoming more complicated. The systems and experiments are becoming more complicated. I repeat, the preparation has not become easier," he said. (With inputs from agencies)

878 days in orbit and counting: Cosmonaut Oleg Kononenko sets record for most time in space

The first crew to blast off to the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nasa-to-open-international-space-station-to-tourists-from-2020-225333">International Space Station</a> following a launch accident that deepened doubts over Russia's space programme returned to earth safely on Tuesday.&nbsp;

NASA astronaut <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nasa-scraps-all-women-spacewalk-for-lack-of-well-fitting-suits-205635">Anne McClain</a>, veteran cosmonaut Oleg Kononenko of Roscosmos, and Canadian Space Agency record-holder David Saint-Jacques emerged from the spacecraft to applause from support crews, after touching down near the Kazakh city of Dzhezkazgan.

Live footage from the landing site broadcast on NASA television showed the three sitting in chairs smiling as they were attended to by staff ahead of a journey back to Moscow for Kononenko and Houston for McClain and Saint-Jacques.

Arriving at 0247 GMT to warm conditions, Kononenko joked that he was "happy to see any kind of weather" after coming back from space. &nbsp;&nbsp;

The trio's launch on December 3 was the first after a Soyuz rocket carrying Russia's Aleksey Ovchinin and US astronaut Nick Hague failed in October just minutes after blast-off, forcing the pair to make an emergency landing. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

They escaped unharmed but the failed launch was the first such incident in Russia's post-Soviet history and a new setback for the country's once-proud space industry. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

Record-breakers and space tourism&nbsp;

McClain, Kononenko and Saint-Jacques had been optimistic ahead of their successful launch and remained upbeat throughout their time aboard the orbital lab which is seen as a rare example of cooperation between Russia and the West.&nbsp;

"A beautiful night passes over Africa on my last night on @Space_Station," tweeted 40-year-old McClain, who completed two spacewalks during her virgin mission to the ISS. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Fellow first-time flyer Saint-Jacques broke the record for the longest single spaceflight by a Canadian astronaut, previously held by Robert Thirsk.&nbsp;

Thirsk clocked 187 days at the ISS in 2009 during a typical six-month mission, while 49-year-old Saint-Jacques' mission will stand at 204 days.

The record was helped along by the fact that the launch was moved forward to December 3 from December 20 for operational reasons -- possibly as a confidence booster after the accident. &nbsp;

The returning trio was given a ceremonial send-off Monday as they exited the ISS by Ovchinin, Hague and NASA astronaut Christina Koch, who arrived at the lab in March on a fresh mission.&nbsp;

Russians dominate the rankings for cumulative days spent in space, with the Kononenko reaching 737 days.

That leaves the 55-year-old sixth in the all-time standings and just a typical ISS mission short of beating the 879-day record set by 60-year-old Roscosmos colleague Gennady Padalka in 2015.&nbsp;

Since 2011, Russia is the only country to oversee manned launches to the ISS.&nbsp;

But last year's failed launch, multi-billion dollar corruption scandals at Roscosmos and the emergence of private sector competitors like Elon Musk's SpaceX have combined to put into question Moscow's future dominance.

NASA said earlier this month that it will be opening the ISS up to space tourists for the first time next year with 30-day visits expedited by SpaceX and Boeing expected to cost around $58 million per person.&nbsp;

Russia has flown seven tourists to the ISS but is set to increase that number beginning in 2021, according to Roscosmos, which struck a deal with American company Space Adventures earlier this year.

US businessman Dennis Tito was the first space tourist to the ISS, paying Russia around $20 million for the trip.

The first crew to blast off to the International Space Station following a launch accident that deepened doubts over Russia's space programme returned to earth safely on Tuesday.

The first crew to blast off to the International Space Station following a launch accident that deepened doubts over Russia's space programme returned to earth safely on Tuesday. NASA astronaut Anne McClain, veteran cosmonaut Oleg Kononenko of Roscosmos, and Canadian Space Agency record-holder David Saint-Jacques emerged from the spacecraft to applause from support crews, after touching down near the Kazakh city of Dzhezkazgan. Live footage from the landing site broadcast on NASA television showed the three sitting in chairs smiling as they were attended to by staff ahead of a journey back to Moscow for Kononenko and Houston for McClain and Saint-Jacques. Arriving at 0247 GMT to warm conditions, Kononenko joked that he was "happy to see any kind of weather" after coming back from space. The trio's launch on December 3 was the first after a Soyuz rocket carrying Russia's Aleksey Ovchinin and US astronaut Nick Hague failed in October just minutes after blast-off, forcing the pair to make an emergency landing. They escaped unharmed but the failed launch was the first such incident in Russia's post-Soviet history and a new setback for the country's once-proud space industry. Record-breakers and space tourism McClain, Kononenko and Saint-Jacques had been optimistic ahead of their successful launch and remained upbeat throughout their time aboard the orbital lab which is seen as a rare example of cooperation between Russia and the West. "A beautiful night passes over Africa on my last night on @Space_Station," tweeted 40-year-old McClain, who completed two spacewalks during her virgin mission to the ISS. Fellow first-time flyer Saint-Jacques broke the record for the longest single spaceflight by a Canadian astronaut, previously held by Robert Thirsk. Thirsk clocked 187 days at the ISS in 2009 during a typical six-month mission, while 49-year-old Saint-Jacques' mission will stand at 204 days. The record was helped along by the fact that the launch was moved forward to December 3 from December 20 for operational reasons -- possibly as a confidence booster after the accident. The returning trio was given a ceremonial send-off Monday as they exited the ISS by Ovchinin, Hague and NASA astronaut Christina Koch, who arrived at the lab in March on a fresh mission. Russians dominate the rankings for cumulative days spent in space, with the Kononenko reaching 737 days. That leaves the 55-year-old sixth in the all-time standings and just a typical ISS mission short of beating the 879-day record set by 60-year-old Roscosmos colleague Gennady Padalka in 2015. Since 2011, Russia is the only country to oversee manned launches to the ISS. But last year's failed launch, multi-billion dollar corruption scandals at Roscosmos and the emergence of private sector competitors like Elon Musk's SpaceX have combined to put into question Moscow's future dominance. NASA said earlier this month that it will be opening the ISS up to space tourists for the first time next year with 30-day visits expedited by SpaceX and Boeing expected to cost around $58 million per person. Russia has flown seven tourists to the ISS but is set to increase that number beginning in 2021, according to Roscosmos, which struck a deal with American company Space Adventures earlier this year. US businessman Dennis Tito was the first space tourist to the ISS, paying Russia around $20 million for the trip.

Russian, North American astronauts return to earth

oleg-kononenko

Oleg Kononenko, News on Oleg Kononenko, stories on Oleg Kononenko, articles on Oleg Kononenko, Oleg Kononenko stories at Wion, Oleg Kononenko news, Oleg Kononenko latest news

oleg kononenko

Russian Cosmonaut makes world history by spending 1,000 days in space

Russian cosmonaut sets a new record for the most time in space

878 days in orbit and counting: Cosmonaut Oleg Kononenko sets record for most time in space

Russian, North American astronauts return to earth