Russian cosmonaut sets record for longest time in space

A Russian cosmonaut has set a new record for the longest total time spent in space. Gennady Padalka has been in orbit for more than 804 days across five missions, beating the previous record of 803 days, nine hours and 41 minutes.

Currently commander of the International Space Station, Padalka trained as a military pilot during the Soviet era and first travelled to space in 1998. His record-breaking ventures are expected to prove important in studying the effects of long-term spaceflight on the human body.

Padalka is due to return to Earth on 11 September this year, by which time he will have spent a grand total of 878 days in space. He has plans to go on a sixth mission and become the first person to spend over 1,000 days in space.