Skip to content

Historic “Year in Space” Paves the Way for Deep Space Exploration

NASA astronaut Scott Kelly and Russian cosmonaut Mikhail Kornienko returned safely to Earth following 340 days aboard the International Space Station (ISS). During what NASA has called “the year in space,” Kelly and Kornienko participated in scientific investigations designed to capture data on medical, psychological and biomedical challenges faced by astronauts during a long trip in space.  

The one year crew mission is the latest step in the space station’s role as a spring board for deep space exploration. On a 30-month mission to Mars, astronauts can expect to experience psychological and physical strain in addition to radiation exposure. Research from the one year mission will shed new light on such issues that will help humans travel farther into space than ever before.  

As NASA’s prime contractor for ISS, Boeing provides key engineering services, support for onboard research and maintenance including delivery of modification kits to help reconfigure the station to support future commercial spacecraft like Boeing’s Crew Space Transportation (CST)-100 Starliner spacecraft.  

During the one-year mission, Boeing and NASA coordinated on reconfiguration spacewalks to prepare the station for commercial crew vehicles to dock.  

Biological data collected on both the American and Russian crew members will be shared between the countries. Research and data collection on Kelly and Kornienko will continue for a year—and possibly more—after they return.  

s132e012208-Earth-HighRes
ISS Space Station

For more information on ISS and exploration to deep space, visit www.BeyondEarth.com .

Recent Stories

Capitol Lens | O’s face

Mayorkas impeachment headed to Senate for April 11 trial

Muslim American appeals court nominee loses Democratic support

At the Races: Lieberman lookback

Court says South Carolina can use current congressional map

Joseph Lieberman: A Capitol life in photos