Astronaut Scott Kelly to retire in April

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International Space Station (ISS) crew member Scott Kelly of the U.S. reacts after landing near the town of Dzhezkazgan, Kazakhstan, on March 2, 2016 (AFP Photo/Kril Kudryavtsev)

Miami (AFP) - Astronaut Scott Kelly will retire from NASA next month, after spending nearly a year in space and setting a record for the most cumulative days in space of any American, the US space agency said.

Kelly, a former Navy pilot who joined NASA in 1996, will leave the agency April 1.

"This year-in-space mission was a profound challenge for all involved, and it gave me a unique perspective and a lot of time to reflect on what my next step should be on our continued journey to help further our capabilities in space and on Earth," Kelly said in a statement.

"I am humbled and excited by new opportunities for me to support and share the amazing work NASA is doing to help us travel farther into the solar system and work with the next generation of science and technology leaders."

He gave no further details on his plans post-retirement.
However, Kelly -- who is allowing his body to be studied to further research on the effects of long-term spaceflight -- will "continue to participate in the ongoing research related to his one-year mission," NASA said.
"He will provide periodic medical samples and support other testing in much the same way that his twin brother, former astronaut Mark Kelly, made himself available for NASA's Twins Study during his brother's mission."
Kelly is a four-time veteran of spaceflight. His first trip was aboard the space shuttle Discovery in 1999, during a mission to repair NASA's Hubble Space Telescope. His other three missions were to the International Space Station.
His latest mission lasted 340 days, and gave him a US record of 520 cumulative days in space.

Kelly said he hoped the legacy of his near-year mission would be to help pave the way toward a deep space mission to Mars someday.

For now, the risks of long-term spaceflight remain unclear, amid concerns such as high radiation, food supply and the psychological challenges of spending months or years away from Earth.

"When the first Americans set foot on Mars, they will be following in the footsteps of one of the finest astronauts in the history of the space program, my friend, Commander Scott Kelly," said NASA Administrator Charles Bolden.

"I can think of no one more deserving of some well-deserved rest and time on the same planet as his family and friends."