Scott Kelly has successfully landed back on Earth after 340 days in space, making him the person who has spent the most time consecutively in space. Kelly and his Russian partner, Mikhail Kornienko, landed on March 1. This is Kelly’s fourth mission in space, giving him over 540 days in space cumulatively.

       Scott Kelly was in space to help NASA study the effects of extended time in space on the human body, and to see if it was possible for a manned mission to go to Mars. While in space, Kelly helped conduct more that 400 experiments, as well as participate in 3 spacewalks. Other than the lack of gravity, and the extensive science equipment, Kelly says that his time in space felt kind of normal. He still had access to the internet and actively updated his social media, caught up on movies, television shows, and email, and took many pictures of Earth. These normal, everyday activities were the key for staying sane.

       Coming back to Earth, Kelly has had some issues with his body. He has had issues with his back, as well as extreme muscle soreness and muscle fatigue despite his 2 hour a day workouts. Kelly’s symptoms are not much of a surprise. NASA knows how space affects the body. Astronauts who come back tend to have bone loss and an increased risk for kidney stones, shrunken muscle fibers, and loss of cardiac function. Kelly has not reported any of these symptoms, but he did temporarily grow almost two inches. Unfortunately, he quickly shrunk back to his original height.

       Scott Kelly’s almost year long trip into space was a big advancement for NASA. With information gathered for the almost 400 experiments conducted, NASA can now develop a plan to get man to Mars. Scott Kelly has told reporters that it is very possible to make it.

      “Going to Mars is doable,” Scott Kelly said during the NASA news conference that was also attended by his astronaut twin brother. “We’re close enough that if we make the choice, I think we can do it.”