The crew made an extremely hard landing, which missed the target by 470 km (300 miles). After spending 191 days, 19 hrs and 8 mins in space on this mission, Peggy, along with her crew members landed back on Earth in April 2008. Upon completing 534 days, 2 hours and 48 minutes in the space, Whitson officially broke the record for longest amount of time spent in space by any NASA astronaut. Whitson worked as a research biochemist in the Biomedical Operations and Research Branch at NASA-JSC between 1989 and 1993. During the six-month mission she also performed five space walks to carry out maintenance and assembly tasks. Completing her first flight, Whitson logged 184 days, 22 hours and 14 minutes in space. Upon completing 534 days, 2 hours and 48 minutes in the space, Whitson officially broke the record for longest amount of time spent in space by any NASA astronaut. 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Whitson had a long and varied career at NASA before her selection as an astronaut candidate. "That's an incredible record to break, and on behalf of our nation and frankly on behalf of the world, I'd like to congratulate you". Peggy is overwhelmed by her achievement and shared her entire journey of her career on her official Twitter account. Whitson served as Chief of the Astronaut Office until July 2012 and, as such, was responsible for mission preparation activities of International Space Station crews and their support personnel. @ISS_Research has it all. #LifeInSpace pic.twitter.com/msjKSg6WWH. Following her fellowship at Rice, Whitson started working at Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, as a National Research Council Resident Research Associate. Whitson served as the Supervisor for the Biochemistry Research Group at KRUG International, a medical sciences contractor at NASA-JSC between April 1988 and September 1989. As a cost-cutting measure, Russia decided to launch Soyuz MS-04 with only one cosmonaut. The 289 days she spent in space was the longest single spaceflight by any woman. After graduating from University in 1985, she began working at the University itself as a Robert A Welch Postdoctoral Fellow and continued until October 1986. Whitson started her career as a research biochemist in 1989 and was selected as an astronaut candidate in 1996. Peggy Whitson, in full Peggy Annette Whitson, (born February 9, 1960, Mount Ayr, Iowa, U.S.), American biochemist and astronaut, who was the first female commander of the International Space Station (ISS) and who holds the record among American astronauts and among women for spending the most time in space, nearly 666 days. Announcing our NEW encyclopedia for Kids! After nearly 185 days in space, she returned to Earth aboard STS-113, landing on December 7. This made an empty seat, so Whitson’s mission was extended by three months to take that seat. Updates? Following her fellowship at Rice, Whitson started working at Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, as a National Research Council Resident Research Associate. NASA.gov brings you the latest images, videos and news from America's space agency. Upon completing the two years of training and evaluation, she was assigned technical duties in the Astronaut Office Operations Planning Branch and served as the lead for the Crew Test Support Team in Russia from 1998 to 1999. Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. On April 10, 2017, she became commander of the ISS Expedition 51 mission, which lasted until June 2. She has registered her record by spending 666 days in space- over the course of three missions. Report a problem? Her total of 10 career space walks and their combined duration of 60 hours 21 minutes were records for a female astronaut. By using our site, you agree to our, NASA's Peggy Whitson creates history, holds command of International Space Station for the second time, Peggy Whitson spends 666 days in space over the course of three missions, breaks record. Joining NASA in biology and chemistry from Iowa Wesleyan College in Mount Pleasant, Iowa, in 1981 and a doctorate in biochemistry from Rice University in Houston in 1985. In addition to this, the record-breaking 56-year-old Whitson has registered more space-walking time than any other female astronaut. Whitson trained as the backup ISS commander for Expedition 14 from November 2005 through September 2006, and as the ISS commander for Expedition 16, launched October 2007, on the Soyuz TMA-11. She flew into space for the first time on June 5, 2002, as a flight engineer on Expedition 5 to the ISS, aboard the space shuttle Endeavour on mission STS-111. Whitson served as the Supervisor for the Biochemistry Research Group at KRUG International, a medical sciences contractor at NASA-JSC between April 1988 and September 1989. Omissions? She was on her third long-duration space flight and was the commander of the International Space Station for Expedition 51, before handin… After spending nearly 192 days in space, Whitson returned to Earth aboard Soyuz TMA-11 on April 19, 2008. Astronaut Peggy Whitson has spent more time in space than any other American, and that is only one of the records she holds. Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. She also participated in joint efforts between American and Soviet (later Russian) scientists. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree.... U.S. astronaut Peggy Whitson (right), Expedition 16 commander, greeting astronaut Pam Melroy, STS-120 commander, after the opening of the hatch between the International Space Station and the space shuttle Discovery, Oct. 25, 2007. Who was the first U.S. astronaut to orbit Earth? “By studying math, science, engineering, any kind of technology, you're going to have a part in that, and that will be very exciting.”. Among other positions, she worked in the Biomedical Operations and Research branch at the JSC from 1989 to 1993 and was the deputy division chief of the Medical Sciences Division at the JSC from 1993 to 1996. In 1992, she was named the project scientist of the Shuttle-Mir Program (STS-60, STS-63, STS-71, Mir 18, Mir 19), and served in this capacity until the conclusion of the Phase 1A Program in 1995. I love being on @Space_Station, and the science work is my favorite. She is also the first woman to command the International Space Station twice. After completing two years of training, she worked in various technical positions at the Operations Planning branch of NASA’s Astronaut Office. US Astronaut Peggy Whitson has made her country proud by adding one more star to her achievements. From November 2003 to March 2005, she served as deputy chief of the Astronaut Office. From November 2003 to March 2005, she served as deputy chief of the Astronaut in June 2003. the president asked. Peggy Annette Whitson (born February 9, 1960) is an American biochemistry researcher, retired NASA astronaut, and former NASA Chief Astronaut. In 1991, she began working as a technical monitor of the Biochemistry Research Laboratories in the Biomedical Operations and Research Branch and continued till 1993. she was the payload element developer for Bone Cell Research Experiment (E10) aboard SL-J (STS-47) and was a member of the US-USSR Joint Working Group in Space Medicine and Biology. Her second mission, Expedition 16, launched October 10, 2007, on Soyuz TMA-11. Get exclusive access to content from our 1768 First Edition with your subscription. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Whitson served as Chief of the Astronaut Office until July 2012 and, as such, was responsible for mission preparation activities of International Space Station crews and their support personnel. Get the latest updates on NASA missions, watch NASA TV live, and learn about our quest to reveal the unknown and benefit all humankind. Whitson retired from NASA in 2018. Corrections? Her first space mission was in 2002, with an extended stay aboard the International Space Station as a member of Expedition 5. I am so grateful for all those who helped me on each of my missions! She spent 665 days in space, more than any other woman or U.S. astronaut, and she commanded the International Space Station (ISS) twice. Flight engineer Peggy Whitson installing new adapter plates and hooking up electrical connections on the International Space Station, 2017. “I want all the young people out there to recognize that the real steps (to getting to Mars) are going to be taken in a few years,” she said. From 2009 to 2012, Whitson was chief of the Astronaut Office, which oversees all NASA astronaut activities, including crew selection and training. Whitson began her astronaut training in August 1996. Why BJP Government is not taking action, asked Alka Lamba, This website uses cookie or similar technologies to enhance and improve your browsing experience. In 2002, She Made Her First Journey To The International Space Station. Whitson spent nearly 666 days in space during her three long-duration tours of duty to the ISS, which made her NASA’s most-experienced astronaut. She retired from NASA on June 15, 2018.. From March 2005 to November 2005, she served as chief of the Station Operations Branch, Astronaut Office.