Sets New U.S. Record for Time
in Space
NASA astronaut Peggy
Whitson, currently living and working aboard the International Space Station, broke
the record Monday for cumulative time spent in space by a U.S. astronaut – an
occasion that was celebrated with a phone call from President Donald Trump,
First Daughter Ivanka Trump, and fellow astronaut Kate Rubins.
NASA astronaut Jack
Fischer, who arrived April 20 for his first mission aboard the orbiting
outpost, also participated in the call alongside Whitson.
"Peggy is a phenomenal role model for
young women, and all Americans, who are exploring or participating in STEM
education programs and careers," said President Trump. "As I have
said many times before, only by enlisting the full potential of women in our
society will we be truly able to make America great again. When I signed the
INSPIRE Women Act in February, I did so to ensure more women have access to
STEM education and careers, and to ensure America continues to benefit from
the contributions of trailblazers like Peggy."
Whitson launched on Nov. 17, 2016, with 377
days in space already under her belt, and broke Jeff Williams’ U.S. record of
534 cumulative days in space. In 2008, Whitson became the first woman to command
the space station, and on April 9 became the first woman to command it twice.
In addition, she holds the record for most spacewalks by a female astronaut.
“This is an inspirational record Peggy is
setting today, and she would be the first to tell you this is a record that’s
absolutely made to be broken as we advance our knowledge and existence as
both Americans and humans,” said NASA acting Administrator Robert Lightfoot.
“The cutting-edge research and technology demonstrations on the International
Space Station will help us go farther into our solar system and stay there
longer, as we explore the mysteries of deep space first-hand. Congratulation
to Peggy, and thank you for inspiring not only women, but all Americans to
pursue STEM careers and become leaders.”
A fresh set of science experiments and supplies
for Whitson and her crewmates arrived at the space station April 22 on
Orbital ATK’s seventh NASA-contracted commercial resupply mission.
Investigations include an antibody
investigation that could increase the effectiveness of chemotherapy
drugs for cancer treatment and an advanced
plant habitat for studying plant physiology and food growth in
space. Another new investigation bound for the U.S. National Laboratory
portion of the station will look at using magnetized
cells and tools to make it easier to handle cells and cultures, and
improve the reproducibility of experiments.
For more than 16 years, humans have lived
and worked continuously aboard the International Space Station, advancing
scientific knowledge and demonstrating new technologies, making research
breakthroughs not possible on Earth that will enable long-duration human and
robotic exploration into deep space. A global endeavor, more than 200 people
from 18 countries have visited the unique microgravity laboratory that has
hosted more than 1,900 research investigations from researchers in more than
95 countries.
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