By the time Scott Kelly's feet touch the ground in Kazakhstan late Tuesday and Texas soil the following night, he'll have been at the International Space Station for 340 consecutive days and in space for more than 500 cumulative days. He's now spent more time up there than any other American astronaut.
Kelly has allowed the earthbound public to follow along on his journey by sharing photos, videos and thoughts on social media. As he makes his way back with Russian cosmonauts Sergey Volkov and Mikhail Kornienko, the latter his fellow one-year crew member, here are 19 things to remember from the nearly full year he was in orbit—the silly, the serious and the stunning.
1. The sunrises and sunsets
#GoodMorning sunshine! The horizon was brilliant this morning. #YearInSpace pic.twitter.com/CDZb1SGPfK
— Scott Kelly (@StationCDRKelly) October 21, 2015
For an instant before sunrise, the space station glows orange. #GoodMorning from @Space_Station! #YearInSpace pic.twitter.com/FEXx8Rezg3
— Scott Kelly (@StationCDRKelly) November 5, 2015
Day 300. What a journey so far! #Sunset #ThankYou for following along. #GoodNight from @space_station! #YearInSpace pic.twitter.com/xsREElWWss
— Scott Kelly (@StationCDRKelly) January 22, 2016
Of all the sunrises I've seen on my #YearInSpace, this was one of the best! One of the last too. Headed home soon. pic.twitter.com/AD4YEiN5kR
— Scott Kelly (@StationCDRKelly) February 27, 2016
Love how sunset turns the mountains blue. #YearInSpace pic.twitter.com/wkoMdQRFvF
— Scott Kelly (@StationCDRKelly) December 13, 2015
2. The spacewalks
#SpaceWalkSelfie Back on the grid! Great first spacewalk yesterday. Now on to the next one next week. #YearInSpace pic.twitter.com/7qXLiKzaKA
— Scott Kelly (@StationCDRKelly) October 29, 2015
Coming back in yesterday. Still trying to wrap my head around why we call it #spacewalk, not spacework. #YearInSpace pic.twitter.com/F8Hvq1xVcm
— Scott Kelly (@StationCDRKelly) October 29, 2015
Teamwork! @astro_kjell and I working outside @Space_Station with @Astro_Kimiya inside getting us safely out the door pic.twitter.com/ScwchKXgsQ
— Scott Kelly (@StationCDRKelly) November 10, 2015
On the grid! Back from #spacewalk & tweet ability down. Real-life lesson in importance of connectivity. #YearInSpace pic.twitter.com/VMc1VwRhzZ
— Scott Kelly (@StationCDRKelly) November 10, 2015
3. The space ape
Needed a little humor to lighten up a #YearInSpace. Go big, or go home. I think I'll do both. #SpaceApehttps://t.co/Ift8VdDR4C
— Scott Kelly (@StationCDRKelly) February 23, 2016
4. The #EarthArt
#EarthArt Looks like this lake in Southwest Asia is wearing a tie-dyed t-shirt. #YearInSpace pic.twitter.com/WsVaRmhHen
— Scott Kelly (@StationCDRKelly) September 3, 2015
#EarthArt Interesting how a muddy river through the thick & clouds can be so easy on the eye from here. #YearInSpace pic.twitter.com/qCX5j4qSwQ
— Scott Kelly (@StationCDRKelly) September 21, 2015
#USA #EarthArt #YearInSpace pic.twitter.com/tQRGFElElR
— Scott Kelly (@StationCDRKelly) October 25, 2015
#EarthArt Over the land of the #DownUnder #YearInSpace pic.twitter.com/30BynaoYs4
— Scott Kelly (@StationCDRKelly) December 17, 2015
#Africa #EarthArt Earth without art is just Eh. #YearInSpace pic.twitter.com/XORn6clZNJ
— Scott Kelly (@StationCDRKelly) January 4, 2016
#Bahamas #EarthArt Watercolors! #YearInSpace pic.twitter.com/v0mtgLCRWd
— Scott Kelly (@StationCDRKelly) January 19, 2016
#EarthArt African violet #YearInSpace pic.twitter.com/xmALBFOgOC
— Scott Kelly (@StationCDRKelly) January 26, 2016
I'm going to miss the colors of #Africa! #EarthArt. #YearInSpace pic.twitter.com/FyqIk5UFoY
— Scott Kelly (@StationCDRKelly) February 22, 2016
5. The chats with Obama (plus at least one former president)
Hey @StationCDRKelly, loving the photos. Do you ever look out the window and just freak out?
— President Obama (@POTUS44) August 1, 2015
I don't freak out about anything, Mr. President. Except getting a Twitter question from you.
— Scott Kelly (@StationCDRKelly) August 1, 2015
https://t.co/AT0nvUXkq4
Window seat at #SOTU. Last year @POTUS told me "Instagram it!" 636 #YearInSpace photos How am I doing Mr. President? pic.twitter.com/BS1rFwtD3o
— Scott Kelly (@StationCDRKelly) January 12, 2016
So proud of you, Scott. How long is the delay up there? See you when you get back! https://t.co/doBpaDeZXq
— President Obama (@POTUS44) January 12, 2016
Not too long, Mr. President. Less than 10m to see your tweet. Readying for sleep. Have a great night down there! https://t.co/lfJOQHDgWJ
— Scott Kelly (@StationCDRKelly) January 12, 2016
6. The aerial views
Color palette of the #Spanish coast is an appealing morning view. #GoodMorning from @Space_Station! #YearInSpace pic.twitter.com/EfuWmRBsJv
— Scott Kelly (@StationCDRKelly) September 5, 2015
This green spot in central #China always catches my eye. #YearInSpace pic.twitter.com/LAjnWFIncm
— Scott Kelly (@StationCDRKelly) December 30, 2015
Sandy and green on the South #Indian coast. #YearInSpace pic.twitter.com/6jie3PB23i
— Scott Kelly (@StationCDRKelly) January 3, 2016
Good afternoon #Egypt! Hope to see you up close some day. #YearInSpace pic.twitter.com/tNqye6i5gf
— Scott Kelly (@StationCDRKelly) February 11, 2016
7. The space solidarity
It's Bullying Prevention Awareness Month! Join me to spread the word there is no space for #bullying #StopBullying365 pic.twitter.com/sX3Z1lTSGB
— Scott Kelly (@StationCDRKelly) October 8, 2015
Shocked & saddened by terrorist attacks on #Paris Standing with #France from @space_station. Our thoughts are w you. pic.twitter.com/LLR7jK6gFe
— Scott Kelly (@StationCDRKelly) November 14, 2015
8. The space condolences
Sad to learn of the death of musician @DavidBowieReal whose inspiration lives on "far above the world" #YearInSpace pic.twitter.com/4PhrmbsTpM
— Scott Kelly (@StationCDRKelly) January 11, 2016
Sad to learn of the passing of #EdgarMitchell, coincidently 45 years after he walked on the moon. A true pioneer. pic.twitter.com/sXQOnm8iBq
— Scott Kelly (@StationCDRKelly) February 6, 2016
Shocked and saddened to hear of the passing of Associate Justice of the #SupremeCourt #AntoninScalia Thank you for your decades of service.
— Scott Kelly (@StationCDRKelly) February 13, 2016
9. The weather reports
Hurricane #Patricia approaches #Mexico. It's massive. Be careful! #YearInSpace pic.twitter.com/F5LgnjOjey
— Scott Kelly (@StationCDRKelly) October 23, 2015
My #YearInSpace saw the full #hurricane season of 2015 that ends today! Here's 4 flashback pics from @space_station. pic.twitter.com/YQzgmAbUqs
— Scott Kelly (@StationCDRKelly) November 30, 2015
Day 302. #Blizzard2016 gave us an impressive view below. Stay warm! #GoodNight from @space_station! #YearInSpace pic.twitter.com/ioNOqdYDCP
— Scott Kelly (@StationCDRKelly) January 24, 2016
That #polarvortex even looks cold from here! #Burr! #YearInSpace pic.twitter.com/LijIVyLOwW
— Scott Kelly (@StationCDRKelly) February 14, 2016
10. The space flowers
Our plants aren't looking too good. Would be a problem on Mars. I'm going to have to channel my inner Mark Watney. pic.twitter.com/m30bwCKA3w
— Scott Kelly (@StationCDRKelly) December 27, 2015
Some of my space flowers are on the rebound! No longer looking sad! #YearInSpace pic.twitter.com/HJzXaTItIf
— Scott Kelly (@StationCDRKelly) January 8, 2016
Yes, there are other life forms in space! #SpaceFlower #YearInSpace pic.twitter.com/BJFWvQXmBB
— Scott Kelly (@StationCDRKelly) January 16, 2016
#SpaceFlower Where flowers bloom, so do possibilities. #HappyFriday from @space_station! #YearInSpace pic.twitter.com/DQNexvkCMs
— Scott Kelly (@StationCDRKelly) January 22, 2016
#MondayMotivation #SpaceFlower garden proving through challenge and continuous effort comes growth. #YearInSpace pic.twitter.com/wO1FpbWgCw
— Scott Kelly (@StationCDRKelly) January 25, 2016
11. The holidays
#HappyHalloween from @space_station! Have a great weekend, and be safe down there. #YearInSpacehttps://t.co/aRGMsRAF1D
— Scott Kelly (@StationCDRKelly) October 30, 2015
Finishing our #Thanksgiving meal. Warm wishes and #happythanksgiving from the crew of @Space_Station! #YearInSpace pic.twitter.com/nYCrlIhaX7
— Scott Kelly (@StationCDRKelly) November 26, 2015
Day 254. We got our candle lit. #HappyHanukkah and #GoodNight from @space_station! #YearInSpace pic.twitter.com/4SYEgOeleB
— Scott Kelly (@StationCDRKelly) December 6, 2015
Day 257. A delivery in time for #Christmas decked w festive lighting. #GoodNight from @space_station! #YearInSpace pic.twitter.com/m3CWFF5wXk
— Scott Kelly (@StationCDRKelly) December 10, 2015
It's begun! Fireworks projected outside @space_station. Here's to a great projected 2016! #HappyNewYear #YearInSpace pic.twitter.com/st4TS0elGZ
— Scott Kelly (@StationCDRKelly) January 1, 2016
Honoring #MLKDay from @space_station. "The journey of a thousand miles begins with the smallest step." #YearInSpace pic.twitter.com/8kFhnDKXif
— Scott Kelly (@StationCDRKelly) January 18, 2016
Day 318. Over a #Shanghai night. Wishes for a happy #ChineseNewYear! #GoodNight from @space_station! #YearInSpace pic.twitter.com/T4JD0z55it
— Scott Kelly (@StationCDRKelly) February 9, 2016
12. The liquid ping pong
13. The space food
It was one small bite for man, one giant leap for #NASAVEGGIE and our #JourneytoMars. #YearInSpacehttps://t.co/B7Gkfm1Vz0
— Scott Kelly (@StationCDRKelly) August 10, 2015
Happy #NationalBurgerDay from @space_station! Get my space burger recipe here http://t.co/o5JX6YXW42 #YearInSpace pic.twitter.com/Ye8QgAhEQc
— Scott Kelly (@StationCDRKelly) August 27, 2015
Happy #NationalCoffeeDay from @space_station! #YearInSpace pic.twitter.com/NxZTa5PaZQ
— Scott Kelly (@StationCDRKelly) September 29, 2015
14. The viewing parties
#YearInSpace #Countdown Day 9 down. #Throwback to when I dared watch #Gravity on @space_station. That was cool! pic.twitter.com/lX6Wfo4zWT
— Scott Kelly (@StationCDRKelly) February 23, 2016
Watched @MartianMovie on @Space_Station last night! Today working towards our #JourneyToMars during my #YearInSpace! pic.twitter.com/rIEBjFxRIr
— Scott Kelly (@StationCDRKelly) September 20, 2015
Hosted #SuperBowl party on @space_station, but no one showed up. I would have served nachos! #YearInSpace pic.twitter.com/Vpqxp1wDuf
— Scott Kelly (@StationCDRKelly) February 8, 2016
15. The nighttime views
The #Korean Peninsula. #Pyongyang the capitol the lone spot of light in an otherwise dark #NorthKorea. #YearInSpace pic.twitter.com/9NUmdDwrd7
— Scott Kelly (@StationCDRKelly) September 26, 2015
Day 187. I see #London, I see #France. Good night from @space_station! #YearInSpace pic.twitter.com/6c4bnLMWPC
— Scott Kelly (@StationCDRKelly) September 30, 2015
#Aurora and all that jazz over #Chicago city lights. #YearInSpace pic.twitter.com/xja5W2lkWy
— Scott Kelly (@StationCDRKelly) October 2, 2015
Day 238 #India, #Pakistan and the #Tibetan Plateau make for a #GoodNight from @Space_Station #Himalayas #YearInSpace pic.twitter.com/sQXgpP4GWH
— Scott Kelly (@StationCDRKelly) November 20, 2015
#GoodMorning to all my friends in #NewYork and #NewJersey! #YearInSpace pic.twitter.com/K3byPaknEC
— Scott Kelly (@StationCDRKelly) November 25, 2015
#SanFrancisco, Looks like a great night down there after #SB50! #SuperBowl #YearInSpace! pic.twitter.com/VHrAlWkxKs
— Scott Kelly (@StationCDRKelly) February 8, 2016
Lights of #HoChiMinhCity #Saigon #Vietnam. #YearInSpace pic.twitter.com/oskQYY6ivn
— Scott Kelly (@StationCDRKelly) February 15, 2016
#Italy and the #Alps last night were breathtaking! #YearInSpace pic.twitter.com/Sgbkb1CPA4
— Scott Kelly (@StationCDRKelly) January 26, 2016
16. The out-of-this-world Q&As
Entering the unknown on the 2nd half of my #YearInSpace. Got Qs for me? Let's chat! #TweetChat - Sat., 12:45pm CT. pic.twitter.com/LdCoC3VOti
— Scott Kelly (@StationCDRKelly) September 17, 2015
Day 321 of my #YearInSpace, 500 days in space total. Let's chat! @Tumblr Sat 2/13; 1:45p ET https://t.co/dMBajSyY9u pic.twitter.com/yeMNj3emga
— Scott Kelly (@StationCDRKelly) February 11, 2016
17. The striking #ColorsOfEarth
#ColorsofEarth Snow white. #YearInSpace pic.twitter.com/L7iXYq5QwU
— Scott Kelly (@StationCDRKelly) February 16, 2016
#ColorsofEarth Red and purple Terra Australis. #YearInSpace pic.twitter.com/X8YNSsYFCI
— Scott Kelly (@StationCDRKelly) February 16, 2016
#ColorsOfEarth Orange sands. #YearInSpace pic.twitter.com/LeEYtTLnDa
— Scott Kelly (@StationCDRKelly) February 16, 2016
#ColorsOfEarth Yellow desert. #YearInSpace pic.twitter.com/RuDxqv1Mf1
— Scott Kelly (@StationCDRKelly) February 16, 2016
#ColorsofEarth Blue waters. #YearInSpace pic.twitter.com/4yWGdFLRKE
— Scott Kelly (@StationCDRKelly) February 16, 2016
The cracking blue ice of the #Himalayas. Brilliant! #YearInSpace pic.twitter.com/AF7uifF9bg
— Scott Kelly (@StationCDRKelly) February 6, 2016
More otherworldly #ColorsOfEarth https://t.co/Hcy2ehDzRG #YearInSpace pic.twitter.com/4FQ9PXIjtK
— Scott Kelly (@StationCDRKelly) February 18, 2016
18. The space playlist
Music is a huge part of life in space. Here's my @Spotify playlist of a #YearInSpace https://t.co/FUm0IjgiBL Enjoy! pic.twitter.com/WOIZ4Xh3GV
— Scott Kelly (@StationCDRKelly) October 19, 2015
19. The Third Rock Radio show (and the Newsweek retweet we like too)
If only I could drop the mic in microgravity. Tune in @NASA's @ThirdRockRadio in 1 hr to hear about my #YearInSpace! https://t.co/UJVfMCOfgw
— Scott Kelly (@StationCDRKelly) February 18, 2016
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
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