Peggy Whitson, Ph.D., Americaʼs most experienced astronaut, flew on
three NASA long-duration space flights and Axiom Mission 2 (Ax-2) and
Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), accumulating 695 days in space, more than any
other American astronaut or woman astronaut in the world. Her most
recent trip to space was in 2025 as the Commander of Ax-4.

Whitson has over 37 years of space and science experience with NASA
and is currently serving as director of human spaceflight for Axiom
Space. Throughout her career, Whitson has held various positions to
include NASAʼs chief of the Astronaut Office, chair of NASAʼs
Astronaut Selection Board, chief of NASAʼs Operations Branch, and
deputy division chief for both NASAʼs Medical Sciences and the
Astronaut Office.

On Ax-2, Whitson became the first female commander of a private
space mission, adding to her accomplishments as the first two-time
female commander of the ISS, and the first woman, non-military chief
of NASAʼs Astronaut Office. During her three previous space missions
to the ISS (Expeditions 5, 16, 50/51/52), she conducted 10 spacewalks,
logging over 60 hours. Throughout Whitsonʼs career, she has
contributed to hundreds of experiments in biology, biotechnology,
physical science, and Earth science.

Whitson received degrees in biology and chemistry from lowa Wesleyan
and a doctoral degree in biochemistry from Rice University.

She has been honored with numerous awards, including NASA medals
in Leadership, National Air and Space Museum’s Michael Collin’s
Lifetime Achievement Award (2024); Outstanding Leadership, and
Exceptional Service; Forbes 50 over 50 (2023); TIME 100 Most
Influential People in the World (2018); and Women in Aviation Lifetime
Achievement Award (2017) and the 2025 inductee of the Astronaut Hall
of Fame.