"Russian Who Mocked 'Beorinda' Sets Longest Space Stay Record Among US Astronauts [Reading Science]"

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bong-su] A NASA astronaut, who was 'fooled' by Russia, has set a new record for the longest continuous space stay in human history.

According to NASA on the 19th, NASA astronaut Mark Vande Hei is scheduled to return to Earth on the 30th using a Soyuz spacecraft along with two Russian astronauts from the International Space Station (ISS). Vande Hei entered the ISS, installed in low Earth orbit, on April 9 last year. If he completes his remaining schedule and returns safely, he will set a new record of an astonishing 355 consecutive days in space. As of this date, he has already broken the 340-day record set by fellow NASA astronaut Scott Kelly. If he returns safely on the 30th, the record will be extended by 15 days.

NASA stated, "During his stay on the ISS, Vande Hei conducted hundreds of scientific experiments and research, expanding knowledge on the effects of long-term spaceflight and habitation on the human body," adding, "As the scope of space exploration expands to the Moon and Mars, this will contribute to opening the path for humanity's long-term space travel."

Vande Hei also became the subject of controversy as a 'hostage' in a 'space hostage drama' by Russia, which invaded Ukraine. This was due to a video posted on Twitter by the Russian Federal Space Agency (ROSCOSMOS) on the 6th. The video showed scenes as if the two Russian astronauts, who were scheduled to accompany the return flight, said farewell to Vande Hei and then boarded the spacecraft, leaving the ISS without him.

Of course, this was a 'fabricated' situation cleverly edited from existing videos. However, it caused a major stir amid the international space cooperation system being shaken, such as the suspension of joint Mars exploration with the European Union (EU) following Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the resulting strong sanctions from the United States.

Former NASA astronauts who saw this interpreted it as a 'threat' from Russia that the Russian astronauts might leave Vande Hei behind when they return on the 30th, leading to heated debates with ROSCOSMOS officials on social media. Scott Kelly, who was blocked on Twitter by Dmitry Rogozin, head of ROSCOSMOS, told CNN, "I got chills watching the video."