• News
    • Tech News
    • AI
  • Gadgets
    • Apple
    • iPhone
  • Gaming
    • Playstation
    • Xbox
  • Science
    • News
    • Space
  • Streaming
    • Netflix
  • Vehicles
    • Car News
  • Social Media
    • WhatsApp
    • YouTube
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • UNILAD
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
TikTok
Snapchat
WhatsApp
Submit Your Content
Reason why one cosmonaut was left stranded in space for over 300 days

Home> Science> Space

Published 12:40 31 Jul 2024 GMT+1

Reason why one cosmonaut was left stranded in space for over 300 days

The prolonged time in space took a toll on his body

Rebekah Jordan

Rebekah Jordan

Although astronauts are known to spend many days in space, one astronaut's space mission felt anything but ordinary.

Sergei Krikalev ended up spending over 311 days in space due to unexpected political changes back on Earth.

The Russian cosmonaut has collectively logged more than 800 days aboard the International Space Station - Mir space station - Soyuz spacecraft and the space shuttle, according to NASA.

But Krikalev's lengthy stay wasn't planned. During a mission in the early 90s, he found himself stuck in space twice as long as it should have been.

Advert

He launched from the Baikonur Space Center on May 18, 1991 for a five-month mission to the Mir space station, accompanied by Soviet scientist Anatoly Artebarsky and British scientist Helen Sharman.

MAXIM MARMUR / Staff / Getty
MAXIM MARMUR / Staff / Getty

But seven months into his mission, things took a complicated turn. The Soviet Union collapsed, which meant his home of Kazakhstan was thrown into uncertainty and Krikalev was in a unique predicament - he became a cosmonaut without a country.

His home nation was undergoing political and economic turmoil and basically, no longer existed.

Advert

'The strongest argument was economic because this allows them to save resources here. They say it’s tough for me - not really good for my health,' Krikalev said while still on Mir. 'But now the country is in such difficulty, the chance to save money must be top priority.'

As the mission dragged on, other astronauts were able to return home but that left the space station unstaffed and completely out of sync.

According to BBC-quoted space historian Kathleen Lewis, Krikalev maintained communication with people on Earth via the space station's radio.

NASA / Handout / Getty
NASA / Handout / Getty

Advert

Finally, after 10 months and 5,000 Earth orbits, Krikalev returned to Earth on 25 March 1992. But his home had completely changed. The Soviet Union was gone and replaced by newly independent states.

Leaving the ISS was a relief in some sense as the extended mission had taken a toll on Krikalev's health, as prolonged time in space can lead to the loss of bone and muscle mass.

So readapting to Earth's gravity proved difficult, requiring extensive physical therapy.

Lewis mentioned that Krikalev was less bothered about the political situation and more so about his physical health.

Advert

'He had trained for five months; he had not trained for a year-long mission,' she added.

Describing his arrival home as 'very pleasant,' Krikalev has since been dubbed the ‘last Soviet Citizen’.'

Featured Image Credit: MAXIM MARMUR / Staff / NASA / Handout / Getty
Space
Science
Health

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

11 hours ago
12 hours ago
16 hours ago
a day ago
  • leoimage / Gettyleoimage / Getty
    11 hours ago

    NASA is taking submissions to fly your name around the Moon

    Does that technically make us all astronauts?

    Science
  • Andrew Harnik / Staff via GettyAndrew Harnik / Staff via Getty
    12 hours ago

    RFK Jr. axes scientists' promising research into universal cancer vaccine

    The mRNA tech would've been a huge breakthrough for millions of patients

    Science
  • Stephen McCarthy / Contributor / GettyStephen McCarthy / Contributor / Getty
    16 hours ago

    Man who put forward eerie simulation theory has chilling warning for humanity

    Has the matrix really come to life?

    Science
  •  skaman306/Getty Images skaman306/Getty Images
    a day ago

    Major medical body warns against controversial limb lengthening surgery that costs thousands

    People are going to extreme lengths to gain a few extra inches onto their height

    Science
  • Bizarre reason why Soviet Union cosmonaut was left stranded in space for 311 days
  • Bizarre reason why astronaut known as the ‘last Soviet citizen' was left stranded in space for 311 days
  • Staggering moment astronaut was told his country no longer existed before he was stranded in space for 311 days
  • Reason why stranded astronauts are likely to be paid as little as $4 extra a day for their 251 days in space