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LEGENDRetiredNASA
LEGENDRetiredNASANASA·🇺🇸 United States·Born 1960
Peggy Whitson
Most cumulative time in space by an American astronaut (675+ days)
1.7y
Years in Space
4
Missions
10
EVAs
60h
EVA Time
Every day in space is like Christmas, but better.
The space station is the most amazing thing humankind has ever built. It's truly amazing what we can do when we work together.
I think any time you can challenge yourself to do something that's bigger and better than yourself, then you should do it.
Biography
Holds the record for most time in space by an American astronaut (665 days). First female ISS commander and first woman to command the station twice.
Before NASABiochemistry researcher with a PhD from Rice University; she worked at NASA's Johnson Space Center as a research biochemist before being selected as an astronaut in 1996.
Records & Firsts
Notable accomplishments by Peggy Whitson
- Most cumulative time in space by an American astronaut (675+ days)
- First female commander of the ISS (2008)
- First woman to command the ISS twice
- Most spacewalks by a woman (10)
Mission Timeline
- Flight Engineer / NASA Science Officer
Space Shuttle Endeavour (STS-111)
Expedition 5
Launch: Jun 5, 2002Landing: Dec 7, 2002Duration: 184 days - Commander
Soyuz TMA-11
Expedition 16
Launch: Oct 10, 2007Landing: Apr 19, 2008Duration: 191 days- First female ISS commander
- Commander
Soyuz MS-03
Expedition 50/51/52
Launch: Nov 17, 2016Landing: Sep 3, 2017Duration: 289 days - Commander
SpaceX Crew Dragon Freedom
Axiom Mission 2 (Ax-2)
Launch: May 21, 2023Landing: May 30, 2023Duration: 9 days- Commanded first all-private crew with two Saudis aboard ISS
Beyond the Mission
Causes They Champion
STEM educationWomen in science
Awards & Honors
- NASA Distinguished Service Medal
- NASA Space Flight Medal
- NASA Exceptional Service Medal
Fun fact
She holds the U.S. record for most cumulative time in space (675 days) and was the first woman to command the ISS — twice.
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