Mark Vande Hei's record-breaking stay in space was celebrated in a video by NASA.
The longest mission by an American is 355 days, which was accomplished by the astronauts on the International Space Station.
355 days of science, reflection, and life-long friendships. A look back at NASA Astronaut Mark Vande Hei's record-breaking mission. pic.twitter.com/j9vgZIXYHU
— International Space Station (@Space_Station) March 30, 2022
The two-minute video is a highlights reel of a mission that lasted more than 8,500 hours. Vande Hei found time for a space dance and worked on countless science experiments while living in space. An opportunity for a spacewalk had to be abandoned when a trapped nerve in his neck meant his place was taken by a crewmate, but luckily he can enjoy the memories of four spacewalks he did on a mission five years ago.
Vande Hei said the most memorable parts were the times when he was just hanging around with his crewmates and laughing so hard that they were in tears.
Pondering the lows, the 55-year-old astronaut said the microgravity conditions create a challenging environment, and that he has had a lot of congestion and headaches. It takes a lot more work to stay in the right frame of mind in those situations, it colors everything you are doing.
Vande Hei commented, "I always thought being an astronauts would be an amazing thing, never thought it would be real possibility, but the thing that always inspired me about it was this idea."
While most astronauts stay aboard the station for around six months, Vande Hei's extended presence in space gives NASA scientists a unique opportunity to learn from his experience as they plan for long-duration crewed missions to the moon and Mars.
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