Ancestry of Dr.
Peggy Whitson
NASA and Axiom Space Astronaut
Who is Dr. Peggy Whitson?
Dr. Peggy Whitson is an iconic figure in the world of space exploration, renowned for her exceptional contributions to NASA and her record-breaking achievements in space. Born on February 9, 1960, in Beaconsfield, Iowa, her journey to becoming an astronaut was marked by dedication, perseverance, and an unrelenting passion for science.
Peggy's educational journey began at Iowa Wesleyan College, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and Chemistry in 1981. Later, she pursued a Ph.D. in Biochemistry from Rice University in 1985, displaying her commitment to scientific research.
Her career at NASA began in 1989 when she joined the Johnson Space Center as a research biochemist. In 1996, Peggy was selected as an astronaut candidate, and this marked the beginning of her extraordinary space odyssey. Her first spaceflight occurred in 2002 when she flew aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour to the International Space Station (ISS) as part of Expedition 5.
Peggy's pioneering spirit truly shone during her multiple expeditions aboard the ISS. In 2008, she became the first woman to command the space station during Expedition 16, a testament to her leadership and expertise. Her lengthy tenure in space further solidified her status as a trailblazer. Over the course of her career, she spent a record-breaking 665 days in space, more than any other American astronaut at the time. Her dedication to scientific research in the unique environment of the ISS yielded invaluable data on human health, which has paved the way for future space exploration.
Peggy retired from NASA in 2018, leaving behind a legacy of groundbreaking achievements and a lasting impact on the field of space exploration. She has since added to that legacy when she joined Axiom Space and became the mission commander for Axiom Mission 2. The mission was launched by Spacex on May 21, 2023, aboard a Falcon 9 rocket. The mission included the first female Saudi astronaut to go to space.
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Peggy Whitson photo by Bill Stafford (CC BY-SA 3.0)
