Who is Peggy Whitson? Legendary astronaut leading India's Shubhanshu Shukla

India Today

3 days ago

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