US astronaut of Salvadoran descent, Frank Rubio, shared from the International Space Station (ISS) his belief that “there will be someone who speaks Spanish on the Moon and on Mars,” during a dialogue with a group of Hispanic children. Rubio predicted that the presence of Latino astronauts on space missions would become increasingly common.
During the dialogue, in which children from 14 Latin American countries participated, Rubio mentioned that the presence of Latino astronauts in space will become more frequent. The astronaut, of Salvadoran origin and an aeronautical pilot, has been in space for more than eight months, having arrived at the ISS on September 29, 2022. Due to the failure of the Soyuz MS-22 spacecraft last March, his return to Earth will be extended until September, which could make him the longest-serving US astronaut on a space mission, a milestone in NASA history.
Rubio commented that he cannot anticipate what will happen, and should he achieve that record, it would be an honor shared with the entire NASA team and not just his own. Despite the mixed feelings he has experienced due to his time in space, such as not being able to witness important moments in his children’s lives, he expressed his pride in inspiring young Hispanics in scientific research and space exploration.
During the session, organized by the Asociación de las Televisiones Educativas y Culturales Iberoamericanas and the Noticiero CientÃfico y Cultural Iberoamericano, the children asked almost 400 questions, mainly related to Rubio’s emotional state during his stay in the ISS, the personal objects he carries with him in orbit, and his diet.