Last Updated: 10 Oct, 2023 | Views: 961
Age: 64
Profession: Astronaut
Other Profession(s): Biochemist, Research Scientist
Famous For: Former NASA Chief Astronaut
Higher Education: Bachelor of science in Biology and Chemistry, PhD in Biochemistry
About (Profile/Biography):
Peggy Annette Whitson is a retired NASA astronaut born on February 9, 1960. Her background is in biochemistry, and she is a former NASA Chief Astronaut. The first moon landing she watched on television in 1969 inspired her to become an astronaut. Peggy Annette Whitson’s parents were farmers. Upon graduation from Mount Ayr Community High School in 1978, Whitson graduated from Iowa Wesleyan College with a bachelor's degree in biology and chemistry.
Career:
1997: Whitson joined Rice University's Maybee Laboratory for Biochemical and Genetic Engineering as an adjunct assistant professor.
2002: A member of Expedition 5 aboard the International Space Station, Peggy Annette Whitson made her first space flight in 2002. The 16th Expedition marked her first time as commander of the International Space Station.
2009: As NASA's Chief Astronaut, Peggy Annette Whitson became the first woman to hold that position.
2021: Peggy Annette Whitson was announced as the backup commander for Axiom Mission 1, raising the possibility of her flying a future Axiom Space mission.
May 2021: The second Axiom mission, Axiom Mission 2, was confirmed by Whitson.
Awards and Achievements:
NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal (2006)
NASA Space Flight Medal
NASA Space Act Award for Patent Application
NASA Certificate of Commendation (1994)
NASA Sustained Superior Performance Award
Unknown Facts:
Peggy Annette Whitson ranks ninth on the list of total space-time spent as of April 2021.
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