Francisco Rubio (astronaut)

Francisco Rubio is a NASA astronaut and U.S. Army physician. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Relations from the United States Military Academy at West Point and a Doctor of Medicine degree from the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences. He completed a residency in Family Medicine at Fort Benning and served as a flight surgeon.

Rubio was selected as a NASA astronaut in 2017. His initial training included science and technical briefings, intensive instruction in International Space Station systems, spacewalks, robotics, physiological training, flight training, water and wilderness survival training, and Russian language training.

In September 2022, Rubio launched to the International Space Station aboard Soyuz MS-22 as part of Expedition 67/68. Due to a coolant leak on the Soyuz MS-22 spacecraft, his mission was extended, and he returned to Earth on September 27, 2023, aboard Soyuz MS-23 after spending 371 days in space. This mission set a new record for the longest single spaceflight by an American astronaut. While on the ISS, he contributed to various scientific experiments and maintenance activities.