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America’s most experienced astronaut, Dr. Peggy Whitson, will command the Axiom-4 mission in 2025, accompanied by Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla and European astronauts.
Key Points
- Dr. Peggy Whitson, a seasoned astronaut, will command the Axiom-4 mission in early 2025.
- Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla from India will serve as the mission pilot.
- The crew includes Polish astronaut Slawosz Uznanski and Hungarian astronaut Tibor Kapu.
- Dr. Whitson has over 38 years of space and science experience, including 675 days in space.
- The mission will involve scientific research, technology demonstrations, and space outreach activities.
In a landmark mission set for early 2025, 64-year-old Dr. Peggy Annette Whitson, a biochemist and America’s most experienced astronaut, will command the Axiom-4 mission. Dr. Whitson, who retired as a NASA astronaut in 2018, is now leading human space flight programs at Axiom Space, a Houston-based private space company. Joining her on this mission to the International Space Station (ISS) is Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, a 39-year-old Indian astronaut, along with a Polish and a Hungarian astronaut.
Dr. Whitson’s impressive resume includes four spaceflights and a total of 675 days in space, more than any other American astronaut or woman worldwide. Her career spans over 38 years, including roles such as NASA’s chief of the Astronaut Office and two-time commander of the ISS. She has conducted 10 spacewalks, logging over 60 hours in open space, and contributed to numerous experiments in biology, biotechnology, physical science, and Earth science.
Axiom Space, contracted by NASA for this mission, describes Dr. Whitson as “America’s most experienced astronaut.” Her leadership will provide invaluable expertise to the crew, which includes Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla as the mission pilot, Slawosz Uznanski from Poland, and Tibor Kapu from Hungary as mission specialists.
Group Captain Shukla, who will serve as the mission pilot, is poised to benefit greatly from Dr. Whitson’s vast experience. During the mission, the team will conduct selected scientific research and technology demonstration experiments on board the ISS, as well as engage in space outreach activities, according to the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
Dr. Whitson’s journey to becoming an astronaut began on a farm outside Beaconsfield, Iowa, where she grew up watching the Moon landing on television in 1969. Inspired by this historic event, she pursued a career in space science, eventually becoming a trailblazer in her field.
The Axiom-4 mission represents a significant step forward in international collaboration in space exploration. As the crew prepares for their journey, the world will be watching closely, eager to see the advancements and discoveries that this diverse team will bring back from their time on the ISS.
