
Who is Peggy Whitson? Legendary astronaut leading India's Shubhanshu Shukla
On June 10, 2025 Whiston will lead the Ax-4 mission to Space Station aboard the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft piloted by India's astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla. (Photo: SpaceX) Kshitija Ghanshyam Gosavi Peggy Whitson will lead Ax-4 mission to space
Peggy joined NASA in 1986 as a research scientist
She has conducted research on stem cells in microgravity
When Peggy Whitson was nine years old, she watched the Apollo-11 Moon landing on TV and something inside her changed. Standing barefoot on the soil of her family farm in Iowa, she looked up at the night sky and decided she wanted to go there too.
More than 50 years later, she's not only been to space, she's broken almost every record along the way.
On June 10, 2025 Whiston will lead the Ax-4 mission to Space Station aboard the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft piloted by India's astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla.
"For me, having Shubhanshu as my pilot in the dragon capsule is great. He is already operational-savvy, and he is just wicked smart when it comes to spacecraft technologies," Whitson said, ahead of launch. EARLY LIFE: A DREAM THAT TOOK FLIGHT
Peggy Annette Whitson was born on February 9, 1960, in the quiet town of Mount Ayr, Iowa. She grew up on a farm in nearby Beaconsfield, helping with chores and riding horses, but her dreams stretched far beyond the fields.
After the Moon landing in 1969, young Peggy decided she wanted to become an astronaut. It was a bold dream, especially for a small-town girl with no background in space exploration.
She studied biology and chemistry at Iowa Wesleyan College, graduating in 1981, and later earned a PhD in biochemistry from Rice University in 1985. The Ax-4 crew will be led by astronaut Peggy Whitson to space. (Photo: SpaceX) BREAKING BARRIERS AT NASA
Peggy joined NASA in 1986 as a research scientist, and by 1996, she was selected as an astronaut. That's when the real adventure began.
Peggy Whitson's space missions not only changed the course of her life but also reshaped history. Her journey began with Expedition 5 in 2002, where she became NASA's first-ever ISS Science Officer during her maiden trip to the International Space Station.
She made history again with Expedition 16 (2007–2008) as the first woman to command the ISS, leading five spacewalks and critical assembly operations.
Nearly a decade later, during Expeditions 50/51/52 (2016–2017), she broke yet another barrier â€' at age 56, she became the oldest woman in space, with her mission extended to a record-setting 289-day stay, the longest single spaceflight by a woman at the time (a record now surpassed by Sunita Williams with 608 days).
Beyond missions, Whitson's records speak volumes. She has logged 665 days in space, the most by any American astronaut; completed 10 spacewalks totaling over 60 hoursâ€'the most by a female astronaut and third-most overall; and became the first female, nonmilitary Chief of NASA's Astronaut Office, leading astronaut training and mission planning.
Peggy Whitson didn't just reach the starsâ€'she redefined our limits. A SCIENTIST AMONG THE STARS
While in orbit, Peggy Whitson played a crucial role in advancing space science by leading several groundbreaking experiments.
She conducted research on stem cells in microgravity, aiming to better understand aging and healing processes without the influence of Earth's gravity. She also worked on plant growth experiments, successfully cultivating lettuce and Chinese cabbage aboard the ISSâ€'a vital step toward sustainable food production for future missions to the Moon and Mars.
Additionally, her involvement in combustion studies helped scientists analyse how fire behaves in space, providing insights that could lead to safer spacecraft and more energy-efficient technologies on Earth. Astronaut Peggy Whitson has been on multiple space missions. (Photo: Axiom) LIFE AFTER NASA: LEADING THE FUTURE OF SPACE TRAVEL
Peggy retired from NASA in 2018, but her space story wasn't over.
She joined Axiom Space as Director of Human Spaceflight, taking the lead in training and launching private space missions.
In 2023, she made history once again by commanding Axiom Mission 2 (Ax-2) â€' the first private mission to the ISS led by a woman.
Now, she's preparing to lead Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) as mission commander, taking astronauts from India, Poland, and Hungary to the ISS, including India's Shubhanshu Shukla. It's another giant leap for international space cooperation and Peggy's right at the helm. HONOURS AND LEGACY
Peggy Whitson's extraordinary journey through space has earned her numerous accolades that reflect her groundbreaking achievements. Among her many honors, she received the NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal for her exceptional contributions to space exploration.
In 2017, she was named one of the BBC's 100 Women, celebrating her as a global role model. Her record-breaking accomplishments have also been recognized by the Guinness World Records, including titles for the most time spent in orbit by an American astronaut and the most spacewalks by a female astronaut.
Whitson's legacy is etched not just in science, but in history.
She isn't just America's most experienced astronaut, she's one of space exploration's most powerful role models. And as she prepares to fly again, her mission continues to inspire a new generation to look up and believe.
The stars were never the limit. For Peggy Whitson, they were just the beginning.
When Peggy Whitson was nine years old, she watched the Apollo-11 Moon landing on TV and something inside her changed. Standing barefoot on the soil of her family farm in Iowa, she looked up at the night sky and decided she wanted to go there too.
More than 50 years later, she's not only been to space, she's broken almost every record along the way.
On June 10, 2025 Whiston will lead the Ax-4 mission to Space Station aboard the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft piloted by India's astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla.
"For me, having Shubhanshu as my pilot in the dragon capsule is great. He is already operational-savvy, and he is just wicked smart when it comes to spacecraft technologies," Whitson said, ahead of launch. EARLY LIFE: A DREAM THAT TOOK FLIGHT
Peggy Annette Whitson was born on February 9, 1960, in the quiet town of Mount Ayr, Iowa. She grew up on a farm in nearby Beaconsfield, helping with chores and riding horses, but her dreams stretched far beyond the fields.
After the Moon landing in 1969, young Peggy decided she wanted to become an astronaut. It was a bold dream, especially for a small-town girl with no background in space exploration.
She studied biology and chemistry at Iowa Wesleyan College, graduating in 1981, and later earned a PhD in biochemistry from Rice University in 1985. The Ax-4 crew will be led by astronaut Peggy Whitson to space. (Photo: SpaceX) BREAKING BARRIERS AT NASA
Peggy joined NASA in 1986 as a research scientist, and by 1996, she was selected as an astronaut. That's when the real adventure began.
Peggy Whitson's space missions not only changed the course of her life but also reshaped history. Her journey began with Expedition 5 in 2002, where she became NASA's first-ever ISS Science Officer during her maiden trip to the International Space Station.
She made history again with Expedition 16 (2007–2008) as the first woman to command the ISS, leading five spacewalks and critical assembly operations.
Nearly a decade later, during Expeditions 50/51/52 (2016–2017), she broke yet another barrier â€' at age 56, she became the oldest woman in space, with her mission extended to a record-setting 289-day stay, the longest single spaceflight by a woman at the time (a record now surpassed by Sunita Williams with 608 days).
Beyond missions, Whitson's records speak volumes. She has logged 665 days in space, the most by any American astronaut; completed 10 spacewalks totaling over 60 hoursâ€'the most by a female astronaut and third-most overall; and became the first female, nonmilitary Chief of NASA's Astronaut Office, leading astronaut training and mission planning.
Peggy Whitson didn't just reach the starsâ€'she redefined our limits. A SCIENTIST AMONG THE STARS
While in orbit, Peggy Whitson played a crucial role in advancing space science by leading several groundbreaking experiments.
She conducted research on stem cells in microgravity, aiming to better understand aging and healing processes without the influence of Earth's gravity. She also worked on plant growth experiments, successfully cultivating lettuce and Chinese cabbage aboard the ISSâ€'a vital step toward sustainable food production for future missions to the Moon and Mars.
Additionally, her involvement in combustion studies helped scientists analyse how fire behaves in space, providing insights that could lead to safer spacecraft and more energy-efficient technologies on Earth. Astronaut Peggy Whitson has been on multiple space missions. (Photo: Axiom) LIFE AFTER NASA: LEADING THE FUTURE OF SPACE TRAVEL
Peggy retired from NASA in 2018, but her space story wasn't over.
She joined Axiom Space as Director of Human Spaceflight, taking the lead in training and launching private space missions.
In 2023, she made history once again by commanding Axiom Mission 2 (Ax-2) â€' the first private mission to the ISS led by a woman.
Now, she's preparing to lead Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) as mission commander, taking astronauts from India, Poland, and Hungary to the ISS, including India's Shubhanshu Shukla. It's another giant leap for international space cooperation and Peggy's right at the helm. HONOURS AND LEGACY
Peggy Whitson's extraordinary journey through space has earned her numerous accolades that reflect her groundbreaking achievements. Among her many honors, she received the NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal for her exceptional contributions to space exploration.
In 2017, she was named one of the BBC's 100 Women, celebrating her as a global role model. Her record-breaking accomplishments have also been recognized by the Guinness World Records, including titles for the most time spent in orbit by an American astronaut and the most spacewalks by a female astronaut.
Whitson's legacy is etched not just in science, but in history.
She isn't just America's most experienced astronaut, she's one of space exploration's most powerful role models. And as she prepares to fly again, her mission continues to inspire a new generation to look up and believe.
The stars were never the limit. For Peggy Whitson, they were just the beginning. Join our WhatsApp Channel
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
NASA Layoffs: Is Trump's budget cut approved by Congress? NASA asks employees to opt for early retirement, deferred resignation, or voluntary separation. Here's last date and terms of departure
NASA has introduced a range of new programs aimed at reducing its workforce. These changes follow proposed budget cuts by the Trump administration for the 2026 fiscal year. The programs are voluntary and give employees multiple options for leaving the agency. New Programs for Staff Exit NASA sent memos to employees on June 9, announcing early retirement, deferred resignation, and voluntary separation incentive options. These programs are part of a larger workforce reduction effort. The goal is to reduce the number of NASA employees significantly by 2026. Also Read: 1923 Season 1 Netflix: Why will Netflix air only Season 1? Here's how and when to stream internationally by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like If You Eat Ginger Everyday for 1 Month This is What Happens Tips and Tricks Undo Reasons Behind Staff Reductions The Trump administration has proposed a 24% cut to NASA's overall budget for 2026. This proposal aims to lower the employee count from 17,391 to 11,853, a 32% drop. The proposed budget is still under review by Congress and not yet finalized. Deadline for Employee Decisions NASA has asked employees to decide by July 25 if they want to participate in the new staff reduction options. Those who opt into the Deferred Resignation Program will likely stop working soon afterward but will continue to receive pay until January 9, 2026. Live Events Also Read: This is why nearly 700,000 Americans lost Medicaid coverage in one month Terms of Departure According to the agency, employees who sign the separation agreement will start administrative leave within one to two weeks. Most participants are expected to complete their employment by January 9, 2026. Some critical staff may receive approval to delay their departure until April 1 or as late as September 30, 2026. Similar Changes Across Other Agencies NASA's new programs follow similar moves at other government agencies. Around 75,000 federal workers have already taken deferred resignation offers. Changes have also occurred at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), which recently ended remote work. Most of the 5,500 staff at JPL are now required to return to the office or resign. FAQs Why is NASA reducing its workforce now? NASA is responding to proposed budget cuts for 2026. These cuts aim to reduce spending and the number of employees across the agency. When will most participating employees leave NASA? Most employees who accept the offer will stop working by January 9, 2026. Some may stay until April or September 2026, based on need.


Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
Axiom-4 launch: Crew safety paramount, Isro insisted in review meets
CAPE CANAVERAL (FLORIDA): Hours after SpaceX revealed late Monday that it had detected multiple snags in the Falcon-9 rocket that was to launch the Axiom-4 (Ax-4) crew aboard the Dragon spacecraft, a series of meetings unfolded Tuesday and in all of them, Isro asserted that crew safety was paramount. Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is part of the Ax-4 crew and is set to become only the second Indian to go to space. As part of the launch preparation, all nine engines of the first stage were to be tested together. During one of those tests, it was found that a control actuator had a glitch, and during static test fire, a liquid oxygen (LOX) leak was detected. Once this information came out on Monday, Isro was part of a meeting with all the stakeholders, where it strongly articulated its concerns about astronaut safety and wanted detailed discussions before greenlighting the launch. "That Isro team was led by chairman V Narayanan helped, given his experience, especially with cryogenic propulsion systems. After all, he helped build it for India. Isro had requested that all issues with the rocket needed to be 'resolved' before they went ahead with the launch," a source said. When contacted, Narayanan told TOI: "All I can say at this juncture is that for India and Isro, the safety of our astronaut and crew is paramount. Mission partners have decided to correct the leak and carry out necessary validation tests before clearing for the launch." When SpaceX vice-president of build and flight reliability, William Gerstenmaier, first revealed the information about the leak during a mission readiness review late on Monday, the issue was not categorised as something concerning. He said it would be resolved and the rocket would be ready for launch. However, after subsequent meetings between all partners involved in the mission, SpaceX and the other partners decided to scrub the launch, seeking "additional time for teams to repair the LOX leak.


India Today
3 hours ago
- India Today
Ax-4 crew remains upbeat, says Commander Whitson as launch is delayed
The Ax-4 crew remains upbeat despite another delay in their much-anticipated mission to the International Space Station, Mission Commander and former NASA Astronaut Peggy Whitson wrote on X on Wednesday. The latest postponement comes after a liquid oxygen (LOx) leak was discovered during post-static fire inspections of the Falcon 9 booster. The rocket is set to carry Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla into orbit. advertisementPeggy Whitson, in a statement posted on social media, said setbacks and delays are a normal part of spaceflight. "Our Ax-4 crew remains upbeat and looking forward to a safe and successful flight to the Space Station," she in the day, SpaceX announced it was standing down from the June 11 launch date to allow teams additional time to address the LOx issue. Once repairs are complete and pending range availability, SpaceX will announce a revised schedule. The launch, operated by Houston-based Axiom Space, had initially been slated for May 29 but has faced multiple delays due to weather and technical concerns. The current hold extends that timeline, even as mission managers work toward ensuring safety and operational NASA has outlined a range of potential launch windows for the Ax-4 mission, offering some flexibility in the timeline. According to Dana Weigel, Manager of NASA's International Space Station Programme, launch opportunities remain open through June 30, with additional options available in mid-July following a temporary operational pause. The schedule is also dependent on planned traffic at the ISS, including the undocking of Russia's Progress cargo vehicle and the arrival of another spacecraft in early mission is particularly significant for India, as it marks a historic milestone with Shubhanshu Shukla becoming the first Indian astronaut to visit the International Space Station. A decorated test pilot with over 2,000 hours of flight experience, Shukla will take part in scientific research aboard the ISS during the mission's planned 10-day participation highlights India's growing ambitions in human spaceflight and aligns with national efforts to boost interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) among younger SpaceX continues to troubleshoot the rocket issue and coordinate with NASA, the Ax-4 mission holds strong symbolic value for both international collaboration and India's expanding role in space exploration.