Though we all have differences, there's one commonality that has prevailed for all of humanity: we are all floating on a rock, flying through outer space at over a million miles an hour.
Thanks to the rapid advancement of technology in the past century, we can observe much more of the universe than we ever thought possible.
The scale and sheer size of the universe make it impossible to truly learn everything, but it doesn't mean we shouldn't try.
Here's what's happening in space this week.
NASA astronaut Frank Rubio safely returned to Earth early Wednesday after a record-setting 371 days in space.
Rubio, accompanied by Roscosmos cosmonauts Sergey Prkopyev and Dmitri Petelin, left the International Space Station just before 3 a.m. CT., according to a release from NASA. They made a safe parachute landing in Kazakhstan just after 7 a.m.
Rubio now holds the record for longest single spaceflight by a U.S. astronaut, eclipsing the previous record of 355 days by NASA astronaut Mark Vande Hei.
NASA Administrator Bill Nelson said Rubio's stint in space is a major accomplishment for the space agency.
"Frank's record-breaking time in space is not just a milestone; it's a major contribution to our understanding of long-duration space missions," he said.
"Our astronauts make extraordinary sacrifices away from their homes and loved ones to further discovery. NASA is immensely grateful for Frank's dedicated service to our nation and the invaluable scientific contributions he made on the International Space Station. He embodies the true pioneer spirit that will pave the way for future exploration to the Moon, Mars, and beyond."
NASA
Rubio's mission began on Sept. 21 of last year when he and two cosmonauts took off aboard the Soyuz MS-22 spacecraft. This record-breaking spaceflight was also Rubio's first.
A total of 5,936 orbits and more than 157 million miles were completed during Rubio's 371 days in orbit. During his time aboard the ISS, he and other astronauts conducted several scientific studies.
According to NASA, this extended mission gives researchers more insight into the effects of long-duration spaceflights on humans, information that will be invaluable when the agency returns to the Moon and eventually Mars.
After the crew undergoes medical checks, they will return to Karaganda Kazakhstan where Rubio will then board NASA plane to return to Houston, Texas.
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