NASA Astronaut Scott Kelly
NASA has decided to accept applications for the next class of astronaut candidates for its mission to the red planet and to mark the return of the human spaceflight. Pictured, NASA astronaut Scott Kelly. NASA

NASA astronaut Scott Kelly has been busy taking photos, conducting science and breaking American records for most time spent in space. Kelly is currently 206 days into his one-year mission aboard the International Space Station. Even an astronaut can get homesick, which is why Kelly created a Spotify playlist of his favorite songs that makes him feel a little more grounded.

Kelly has been preparing for the one-year mission since November 2012. Along with Russian cosmonaut Mikhail Kornienko, Kelly provides a unique opportunity for NASA to study the long-term effects of microgravity on the human body. Kelly just so happens to be a twin, which means his brother, retired astronaut Mark Kelly, is an Earth-based participant of the mission. Twin astronauts lets NASA evaluate changes down to a genetic level. Kelly's mission paves the way for longer missions, such as the journey to Mars.

Kelly is quite prolific on Twitter, but his days aboard the ISS are spent conducting science, greeting new crew members or unloading cargo. There are some perks -- like watching "The Martian" before it hits theaters in space -- but a year above Earth does have its drawbacks. "A year really is a long time … a long time to never be able to go outside, or feel the sun on your face, or to see your family through anything besides a computer screen," Kelly said in an interview with Spotify Monday.

Kelly notes the importance of music across cultures throughout history along with its impact in his own life. Aboard the space station, his crewmates are spending the day listening to something in the various modules. "Whether I am contemplative, energetic, tired or hopeful, music has a way of connecting, relaxing and motivating me. Some weekend mornings, I float to the cupola with my coffee and listen as I reflect on this journey, looking down at our beautiful world on which most of us live," Kelly said.

The Spotify playlist is an eclectic mix covering multiple genres. Pitbull, Coldplay, John Lennon, Ellie Goulding, the Cure, Dixie Chicks and 3 Doors Down are among the artists featured by Kelly. You can listen to "Songs of a Year in Space" below.

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NASA International Space Station