who first flew into space in 2002 and now holds the record for spending more cumulative hours in space than any other US astronaut. In October 2007, Whitson joined Pamela Melroy to make space history as the first simultaneous female commanders of the shuttle and space station. With a total of 665.9 days in space, Whitson places eighth on the all-time space endurance list. An Iowa native and biochemist, Whitson launched to the International Space Station (ISS) in her latest historic flight in November 2016 aboard a Russian Soyuz rocket. She was expected to return to Earth in June 2017, but NASA extended her stay until September 2017. Prior to this expedition (50/51), Whitson was already a record holder, being the first woman to command the ISS (in 2007) and having spent more time on space walks than any other woman (six space walks for a total of 39 hours and 46 minutes). As of 24 April 2017 Whitson had spent more than 534 days in space, exceeding the total flight time of previous record holder Jeffrey Williams, and her total at end of mission was 665.9 days. Her extended stay also makes her the first woman to command the ISS for the second time.

With a total of 665 days in space, Peggy Whitson holds the US record for spending more cumulative hours in space than any other US astronaut, placing her eighth on the all-time space endurance list.

Credit: NASA