Francisco Rubio is an American flight surgeon, US Army lieutenant colonel, helicopter pilot, and NASA astronaut. His name has become synonymous with space exploration as he clinched the American record for the longest spaceflight, a remarkable 370-day journey. His historic adventure commenced with the launch of Soyuz MS-22 on September 21, 2022, and culminated on September 27, 2023, when he and his two Russian colleagues, cosmonauts Sergey Prokopyev and Dmitri Petelin, safely returned to Earth in Kazakhstan aboard the Russian Soyuz MS-23 capsule at 5:17 pm local time (7:17 am ET). This milestone solidified his status as the first American to spend a full year or more in space, eclipsing Mark T. Vande Hei's previous record for the longest space flight by an American astronaut.
Francisco Rubio Family
Francisco Rubio was born on December 11, 1975, in the heart of Los Angeles, California, USA. Francisco Carlos Rubio is his birth name. He was born to Salvadoran parents. About his family, he is the son of his mother, Myrna Argueta, and his father. He holds American nationality while his ethnicity is Mixed. In 2022, he celebrated his 47th birthday. Francisco's early years were a tale of two homelands; the first six years were spent in El Salvador, where he imbibed the essence of his roots before his family embarked on a new chapter in Miami, Florida.
For his education, Rubio attended Miami Sunset Senior High School, carving out his educational path, which ultimately led him to the United States Military Academy, where he earned a bachelor's degree in international relations, nurturing dreams of service and diplomacy.
Francisco Rubio Career
Military Career
- Following his commission as a second lieutenant in the US Army, he embarked on an extraordinary military career as a UH-60 Blackhawk pilot.
- He assumed the role of platoon leader in A Company, 2nd Battalion, 82nd Aviation Regiment, and later, as a company commander for A Company, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Aviation Regiment, accumulating over 1,100 hours of flight time, including 600 combat hours in the challenging theaters of Bosnia, Iraq, and Afghanistan.
- Driven by a passion for medicine, he earned a Doctorate of Medicine from the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences and honed his expertise during a family medicine residency at Fort Benning.
- He served as a clinic supervisor and flight surgeon at Redstone Arsenal and, at the time of his selection as an astronaut candidate, played a crucial role as the surgeon for the 3rd Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group at Fort Carson.
NASA Career
- In 2017, Rubio's remarkable journey took a new trajectory when he was selected as a member of NASA Astronaut Group 22, embarking on an intensive two-year training program.
- On July 15, 2022, NASA unveiled his next mission, announcing that he would venture into the cosmos aboard Soyuz MS-22 on a mission bound for the International Space Station.
- The eagerly anticipated launch took place on September 21, 2022, with plans for a standard six-month mission duration and a return to Earth in early 2023.
- Unexpectedly, challenges arose when damage to the spacecraft prolonged his mission, and Rubio touched down with Soyuz MS-23 in September 2023, 370.6 days later.
- In a historic achievement, he earned the distinction of being the first American to spend a full year or more in space, surpassing Mark T. Vande Hei's record for the longest spaceflight by an American astronaut.
Francisco Rubio Wife
Francisco Rubio is a married man to his beautiful wife, Deborah Rubio. Together they have built a loving and supportive partnership. Their love story began on a childhood camping trip, proving that lifelong ties may blossom in unexpected places. Their union has been further enriched by the blessings of four children, forming a close-knit and vibrant family. As of the present moment, the Rubio family is living a happy life without any disturbances.
Francisco Rubio Net Worth
Francisco Rubio's illustrious career as a successful flight surgeon, accomplished US Army lieutenant colonel, helicopter pilot, and esteemed NASA astronaut has not only brought him recognition but substantial financial success as well. As of 2023, his estimated net worth stands at an impressive $5 million, driven primarily by his lucrative NASA career. He is making his annual salary in millions of dollars. This financial prosperity allows him to lead a lavish lifestyle.
