Oleg Kononenko, a veteran Russian cosmonaut, may be on track to become the first person to spend more than 1,000 days in space. Roskosmos announced via its telegraph channel that Kononenko will join Nikolai Chub as part of the core crew for the 70th and 71st long‑duration expeditions to the International Space Station, alongside NASA astronaut Loral O’Hara.
Experts anticipate that this new mission could stretch from September 2023 to September 2024, marking a full year in orbit. The TsPK Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center has already recorded Kononenko’s impressive tenure, noting that he has accumulated 736 days, 18 hours, and 43 minutes in space to date. If successful, the upcoming flight would push his total time in microgravity past the 1,000‑day mark.
Kononenko has flown in space four times and conducted five spacewalks, totaling 32 hours and 13 minutes outside the spacecraft. He is recognized as the 102nd Russian cosmonaut to journey into space, a milestone reflecting a long career of high‑risk, technically demanding missions.
As of now, the world record for the longest cumulative time spent in space remains Gennady Padalka’s 878 days, 11 hours, and 29 minutes, achieved over five flights. That benchmark continues to stand as a symbol of durability and endurance in human spaceflight.
Additionally, a cooperative effort between Roscosmos and NASA produced a draft document aimed at clarifying the processes involved in ISS operations and orbital activities. The document outlines how collaboration will be managed as international crews continue long‑term occupancy of the station, ensuring safe and productive missions for decades to come.