3. Yuri Romanenko’s 326 Days Alone
In 1987, Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Romanenko set a record by spending 326 days aboard the Mir space station, primarily without fellow crew members except for brief visits. During these solitary periods, he experienced anxiety, bouts of sadness, and profound feelings of isolation, highlighting the psychological toll of extended space missions. Romanenko’s mission was part of the Soviet Union’s preparation for longer-duration flights, such as those to Mars. (washingtonpost.com)