Peggy Whitson

With more than 35 years of experience in space and science, Peggy Whitson is an Axiom astronaut slated as the backup commander of Ax-1 and the commander of Ax-2 – the first-ever private missions to the International Space Station. Positions she held during a historic NASA astronaut career include Chief of the Astronaut Office, Commander of the International Space Station (twice), Chair of the Astronaut Selection Board, Science Officer, Operations Branch Chief, Deputy Division Chief for both Medical Sciences and the Astronaut Office, and co-chair of the US/Russian Mission Science Working Group.

Peggy flew on three long-duration missions to the ISS (Expeditions 5, 16, 50/51/52) and spent more cumulative time in space than any US astronaut or any woman in the world (665 days). She has conducted 10 Extra-Vehicular Activities (EVA, spacewalks), with over 60 EVA hours to her credit, and performed hundreds of research experiments on board the ISS.

A holder of B.S. degrees in biology and chemistry from Iowa Wesleyan and a doctoral degree in biochemistry from Rice University, she has been honored with various NASA medals in Leadership, Outstanding Leadership, and Exceptional Service, as well as Glamour’s Woman of the Year (2017), TIME 100 Most Influential People in the World (2018), and Women in Aviation Lifetime Achievement Award (2017).