February 9, 2022
On this date in 1960, Peggy Annette Whitson, American biochemist and astronaut, was born. She was the first female commander of the International Space Station and completed approximately 60 hours of extra-vehicular activity. Whitson completed her final flight at the age of 57, and by the end of her career she had spent a total of 665 days in space – the longest of any woman worldwide.
Peggy Whitson completing the 200th spacewalk in support of the International Space Station on May 12, 2017. Image credit: NASA