Russians have long dominated both cumulative and single flight durations in space the single longest spaceflight record holder is Valeri Polyakov, who spent just short of 4. As Tech. Crunch noted, Whitson was scheduled to return in June but happily accepted an invitation to stay on the ISS longer when Russian space agency Roscosmos canceled a joint mission to the station earlier in 2. Also accompanying Whitson and Yurchikhin on their way home is US astronaut Jack Fischer, who will have spent 1. Whitson wrote she will hugely miss the freedom of floating and moving with the lightest of touch, especially those first few days after my return when gravity will especially SUCK, the Post reported. She will also miss the enchantingly peaceful limb of our Earth, adding, Until the end of my days, my eyes will search the horizon to see that curve. Watch Whitson, Yurchikhin and Fischers return in real time via NASAs live feed below. Tech. Harvard System Welcome to our Guide to the Harvard System of Referencing 6th edition. This guide is compiled by the University Library, to support students.