Frigid temperatures this weekend prompt cold weather advisories

MPR News helps you turn down the noise and build shared understanding. Turn up your support for this public resource and keep trusted journalism accessible to all. 

Turn Up Your Support


Recently returned from a groundbreaking 

, astronaut Scott Kelly announced Friday he will retire from NASA on April 1, but still continue to participate in research related to his space travel.


"This year-in-space mission was a profound challenge for all involved, and it gave me a unique perspective and a lot of time to reflect on what my next step should be on our continued journey to help further our capabilities in space and on Earth," Kelly, 52, said in a statement from NASA.

"My career with the Navy and NASA gave me an incredible chance to showcase public service to which I am dedicated, and what we can accomplish on the big challenges of our day. I am humbled and excited by new opportunities for me to support and share the amazing work NASA is doing to help us travel farther into the solar system and work with the next generation of science and technology leaders," he said.

, flew in space four times, and currently holds the American record for most time spent in space — 520 days.


His record-breaking extended space flight, from which he returned earlier this month, was aimed at understanding how long periods of time in space affect the body. His twin brother, former astronaut Mark Kelly, served as the control variable for studying changes in Scott's body.

Also providing data for scientists was cosmonaut Mikhail Kornienko, who launched and returned with Kelly.

"Scott's contributions to NASA are too many to name," said Brian Kelly, director of Flight Operations at NASA's Johnson Space Center in the statement. "In his year aboard the space station, he took part in experiments that will have far-reaching effects, helping us pave the way to putting humans on Mars and benefiting life on Earth."

NASA administrator Charles Bolden offered his thanks to Kelly:

Science

Recently returned from a historic 340-day off-planet mission, Kelly announced Friday he will retire from NASA on April 1, but still continue to participate in research related to his experiment.

After a year in space, astronaut Scott Kelly to retire in April

Go Deeper.

Like this?