Photos: Frank Rubio Post Mission Briefing

Following his return to Earth, NASA Astronaut Frank Rubio sat down with media to discuss details about his mission to the Space Station.

Almost by accident, NASA Astronaut Frank Rubio set the record for the longest mission to space for an American astronaut. Meant to carry out a six month long mission, Rubio and his crewmates were forced to extend their stay on the International Space Station until a replacement Soyuz could be launched.

While in space, Rubio worked to conduct several science experiments and tech demonstrations, completed repairs and updated hardware on the ISS, and even grew a batch of tomatoes for science.

NASA Astronaut Frank Rubio at a post mission briefing. Photo: Michael Galindo/Cosmic Chicago
NASA Astronaut Frank Rubio discusses how his six month mission turned into a yearlong mission to space. Photo: Michael Galindo/Cosmic Chicago
NASA Astronaut Frank Rubio shares his favorite and least favorite tasks to perform on the International Space Station. Photo: Michael Galindo/Cosmic Chicago
NASA Astronaut Frank Rubio describes what it was like to return to Earth in a Soyuz. Photo: Michael Galindo/Cosmic Chicago
NASA Astronaut Frank Rubio answers questions from media during a post launch briefing. Photo: Michael Galindo/Cosmic Chicago
NASA Astronaut Frank Rubio describing the size of the cherry tomato he grew in space. Photo: Michael Galindo/Cosmic Chicago
NASA Astronaut Frank Rubio trying to convince the media that he didn’t eat the space tomato and doesn’t know where it went. Photo: Michael Galindo/Cosmic Chicago
NASA Astronaut Frank Rubio discusses whether he would go on another yearlong mission to space. Photo: Michael Galindo/Cosmic Chicago