Title: Astronaut Frank Rubio Reflects on Challenging Year-Long Mission, Prioritizing Family Commitments
Astronaut Frank Rubio recently opened up about his decision to commit to a year-long stay aboard the International Space Station (ISS) despite his initial reservations. Speaking exclusively to Heartland Magazine, Rubio revealed that he likely would have declined the extended mission if he had known in advance about the impact it would have on his family.
Rubio, who recognized the remarkable significance of completing the tasks required of him, nevertheless faced the difficult reality of missing crucial family milestones. Among these were his daughter’s first year at the U.S. Naval Academy and his son’s freshman year at West Point—an experience he regrets not being able to share with them.
The extended stay on the ISS was an unforeseen consequence of a micrometeoroid impact on the Soyuz spacecraft, necessitating the replacement of the vehicle. This event extended Rubio’s mission duration to a challenging 371 days, positioning it as the third-longest spaceflight in history.
However, with just a few days left before Rubio and his two Soyuz crewmates return to Earth on September 27, the dedicated astronaut eagerly anticipates reuniting with his wife and children. Rubio expressed his eagerness to soak up the peace and tranquility of his backyard, after being surrounded by machinery on the ISS for an extended period.
Even so, Rubio acknowledges that re-adapting to Earth’s gravity and regaining his strength will not be a simple process. He expects that it will take him several months to readjust after spending an entire year in weightlessness. The physical strain, coupled with the psychological challenges of space travel, have been hurdles that Rubio and his fellow astronauts have had to overcome.
As Rubio prepares to step back onto familiar ground, he expresses his gratitude for the support he received from his family throughout this extraordinary journey. Reflecting upon his decision to commit to the year-long mission, Rubio emphasizes that family commitments played a significant role in his consideration.
Heartland Magazine extends its admiration to Astronaut Frank Rubio for his dedication and commitment to space exploration, despite the personal sacrifices he had to make.
