Peggy Whitson is an American astronaut and biochemist who has made significant contributions to space exploration. Here are some key details about her:
Early Life and Education: Peggy Whitson was born on February 9, 1960, in Mount Ayr, Iowa, United States. She developed an early interest in science and space exploration. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and Chemistry from Iowa Wesleyan College and a Doctorate in Biochemistry from Rice University.
NASA Career: Whitson joined NASA in 1989 as a Research Biochemist. She participated in various research projects focusing on human physiological responses to spaceflight. She was selected as an astronaut candidate in 1996 and underwent rigorous training in various aspects of spaceflight.
Space Missions: Whitson has an impressive spaceflight record. She has logged a total of 665 days in space, setting multiple records for American astronauts. She has flown on three long-duration missions to the International Space Station (ISS).
Expedition 5: Whitson's first space mission was as a Flight Engineer on Expedition 5 from June to December 2002. During this mission, she conducted scientific experiments and performed spacewalks to install external equipment on the ISS.
