Axiom-4 launch: Who is Commander Peggy Whitson?

Jun 25, 2025 Khushi Kumari

Veteran astronaut Peggy Whitson leads Axiom‑4—SpaceX’s fourth private crew mission to the ISS

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With 675 days in space, Whitson is the most experienced American and the all-time leader among female astronauts

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She was the first female (and non‑military) Chief of NASA’s Astronaut Office, and the first woman to command the ISS—twice

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Holding a doctorate in biochemistry, Whitson started her NASA career as a research biochemist and Shuttle‑Mir project scientist

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Now retired from NASA, she’s directing an international team—first‑time fliers from India, Poland, and Hungary

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Over ~14 days aboard ISS, they'll conduct science, tech demos, and educational outreach, anchored by Whitson’s experience

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Whitson led Axiom‑2 and now uses her record‑breaking background to steer commercial human spaceflight forward

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A seasoned spacewalker, Whitson has logged 10 EVAs totaling over 60 hours, ranking among the global top

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