N.J. hometown's message to record-breaking astronaut: You are a 'role model'

West Orange residents welcomed Scott Kelly home after he spent a record-breaking 340 days in space.

WEST ORANGE -- For the past year, old friends from astronaut Scott Kelly's New Jersey hometown have watched as he made history in space. Kelly landed in Kazakhstan Tuesday after a nearly yearlong mission in space. Now that Kelly has returned to the U.S., West Orange residents are welcoming him back with open arms.

"We remember Scott as an incredibly hardworking and dedicated person," township Mayor Robert Parisi said in a statement about Kelly's return.

"We're not surprised he's made history...and we're extremely proud of him. He serves as a role model who inspires generations of West Orange children to set goals and dream big."

Kelly's mission, which included gathering data to compare him to his twin brother, former astronaut Mark Kelly, to determine subtle changes space has on the human body, is considered an important step toward the exploration of Mars.

West Orange Police Deputy Chief Matt Fuela attended elementary, middle, and Mountain High School together, and both graduated in 1982, township officials said.

"I think it's incredible and I'm glad he's home safely," Fuela said. "We had a lot in common. We both played in the Mountain Top league and our fathers were cops."

Kelly and NASA have a long line of tests and follow-up events to evaluate the outcomes of the trip, during which Kelly broke the record for the most time any American has spent in space. During his 340 days on board the International Space Station with two Russian cosmonauts, Kelly became known for sharing hundreds of images from space, including one of his hometown.

Though Kelly no longer lives in New Jersey, he has maintained close ties to the Garden State. Sen. Cory Booker even introduced a resolution to honor his trip.

Robin Alampi, a resident who was traveling to Texas Wednesday to welcome Kelly home in person, called him "very genuine," and ironically a "down to earth guy."

"I think it's wonderful he hasn't forgotten his home town," Alampi said.

"I am so proud of all that Scott has accomplished. And, very happy and thankful he has returned from his mission safely."

Back to #Earth last night. Today I head back home! Stretching my space legs on my first refuel stop. #YearInSpace pic.twitter.com/pCJea2LfeR

-- Scott Kelly (@StationCDRKelly) March 2, 2016