Russian Cosmonaut Oleg Kononenko Sets New Space Duration Record

February 4, 2024

On February 4, 2024, Russian cosmonaut Oleg Kononenko has broken the world record for the most time spent in space, surpassing his compatriot Gennady Padalka. Kononenko has logged over 878 days in orbit and is expected to reach 1,000 days on June 5, 2024. Kononenko is currently on his fifth long-duration mission to the ISS, which commenced in 2022 aboard the Soyuz MS-11 spacecraft. By late September 2024, he will have surpassed 1,110 total days in space.

Space Cooperation Between Russia and U.S.

Despite strained relations between Russia and the U.S. in other areas, the ISS remains a significant international project fostering close cooperation. In December, Roscosmos announced extending the cross-flight program with NASA to the ISS until 2025. While Russia’s space program has faced challenges since the Soviet collapse in 1991, officials under President Vladimir Putin have pledged to revitalize capabilities. However, significant obstacles remain, as acknowledged by officials and space analysts.

Some Records Related to Space

Longest single spaceflight

Russian cosmonaut Valeri Polyakov spent 437 days aboard the Mir space station from 1994-1995, the longest single spaceflight by any human.

First spacewalk

Soviet cosmonaut Alexei Leonov conducted the first ever extravehicular activity or spacewalk in 1965, spending 12 minutes outside the Voskhod 2 capsule.

Most time spent spacewalking

Russian cosmonaut Anatoly Solovyev has logged 16 total hours of spacewalking over 7 spacewalks, the most by any cosmonaut.

First woman to walk in space

Soviet cosmonaut Svetlana Savitskaya became the first woman to walk in space during an EVA outside the Salyut 7 space station in 1984.

First person to vote from space

Soviet cosmonaut Gennady Strekalov voted in Russia’s elections in 1990 while aboard Mir, becoming the first to vote from space.

First tweet from space

Russian cosmonaut Konstantin Tsiolkovsky sent the first ever tweet from space while aboard the International Space Station in 2009.

First music video shot in space

A Russian cosmonaut filmed the music video for Uskoromnyia Sputniki’s song “I’ll Go to the Skies” aboard Mir in 1999.

First cosmonaut selfie

Russian cosmonaut Oleg Artemyev took the first ever cosmonaut spacesuit selfie during a spacewalk outside the ISS in 2014. It showcased stunning views of Earth in the background.

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