Hey Lykkers! Ever felt like time just froze for you while everything changed around you? Now imagine you're up in space, floating high above the Earth, doing your job... and then you find out your whole country has disappeared.

That’s exactly what happened to Sergei Krikalev, a real-life astronaut who ended up being stranded in space for 311 days. Yep, almost a whole year. Let me tell you, this isn’t science fiction—it’s one of the most jaw-dropping space stories in history.

Sergei Krikalev: The Man Who Floated Through a Revolution

Sergei Krikalev was a trained engineer and a brave cosmonaut. In 1991, he blasted off to the Mir space station, thinking he’d be back on Earth in a few months.

But while he was circling the planet, the world below was changing fast. The Eastern Bloc broke apart into several different countries, and the government that had sent him into space no longer existed.

Suddenly, there was no plan—and no money—to bring him back. He was stuck. No one could agree on who was responsible for him. He continued working, fixing equipment, doing experiments, floating in zero gravity—waiting for someone to bring him home.

When Sergei finally returned in March 1992, the Earth he came back to was completely different from the one he left. His muscles were weak, his face was pale, and he had to relearn how to walk. Even the flag on his uniform was no longer used. He had left a country that had vanished.

But here’s the craziest part: he went back to space again—several times! He became one of the most experienced astronauts in the world, spending over 800 days in space during his career.

Other Astronauts Who Pushed the Limits

Scott Kelly – NASA’s Space Twin

Scott Kelly, an American astronaut, took on a bold mission—to live on the International Space Station for almost a year, while his identical twin, Mark, stayed on Earth. This way, scientists could compare their bodies and see how space affects people long-term.

Scott spent 340 days in space. When he came back, he had sore joints, his vision changed, and even some of his genes were behaving differently. It took him months to feel normal again. But the mission gave NASA lots of useful info for future space travel.

Valeri Polyakov – One Year and Two Months in Space

If you think Scott or Sergei had long missions, wait until you hear about Valeri Polyakov. He holds the record for the longest single stay in space—437 days! That’s nearly a year and a half living in orbit. He wanted to prove that a trip to Mars and back was possible for humans.

He did it. And even though he returned thinner, exhausted, and changed, he walked out of the spacecraft on his own. That took some serious strength and willpower.

Space Might Look Cool, But It’s Tough on the Body

Life in space isn’t just floating around and looking at stars.

- No gravity means your bones and muscles weaken fast.

- Fluids move differently, which can cause pressure in your eyes and brain.

- Radiation exposure is higher, which can affect your cells.

- People feel lonely, miss their families, and sometimes get depressed.

That’s why astronauts have to exercise at least 2 hours every day in space just to stay in shape. And even with all that, it takes weeks or even months to fully recover after they return.

Why Do They Keep Going Back?

So, why do astronauts go through all this?

Because they believe in something bigger. They’re helping us understand how to live and work in space. They’re preparing the way for future missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond.

Sergei Krikalev, Scott Kelly, Valeri Polyakov—they’re not just astronauts. They’re explorers, scientists, and heroes who risked their health and comfort so the rest of us could learn what’s possible.

Want More? There’s So Much to Discover

If you liked this story, Lykkers, there’s so much more I can share! Want to know:

- What female astronauts have broken records in space?

- What astronauts really eat (and how they go to the bathroom)?

- How space tourism is becoming a real thing?

- Or what life might be like on Mars one day?

Let me know, and I’ll bring the cosmos right to you. Because space isn't just science—it’s full of amazing human stories. And we’re just getting started.