Frank Rubio’s Space Journey: 371 Days in Orbit and His Path to Recovery

The Extended Space Mission

Astronaut Frank Rubio spent 371 days in space as part of a 6-month mission. In an interview with TIME, he discussed the challenges of living in space for such a long period alongside fellow astronauts Sunita and Butch.

The Road to Recovery

Rubio mentioned that it usually takes around two to three months to fully recover from a long-duration space mission. At present, he feels he’s back to about 90-95% of his pre-flight condition. His recovery process includes plenty of exercise, testing, and scientific observations.

Yearning for Fresh Food in Space

During his time in space, Rubio often craved fresh food, especially salads. His first meal back on Earth was a fresh salad. Unfortunately, his return was postponed by six months due to a coolant leak in the spacecraft.

• Rubio’s space mission lasted 371 days
• Recovery from a long-duration space mission takes 2-3 months
• Fresh food, particularly salads, are frequently missed in space
• A coolant leak delayed Rubio’s return by six months