First Crew - Peggy Whitson

 

Peggy Whitson is an American biochemistry researcher, retired NASA astronaut and former NASA Chief Astronaut.

Her first space mission was in 2002 and on her second mission, she became first female commander of the ISS. Peggy became the first female astronaut to command the International Space Station twice, and broke the record for the longest single space flight by a woman.

Whitson holds the records for the oldest woman spacewalker and the record for total spacewalks by a woman with a cumulative EVA time of 60 hours, 21 minutes, which places her in 5th place for total EVA time. At age 57 on her final flight, she was also the oldest female astronaut ever in space at that time, and remains the oldest woman to fly in Earth orbit.

Whitson returned to Earth on September 3, 2017 having accrued a total of 665 days in space over the course of her career, making her NASA's most experienced astronaut to date. This total was more time in space than any other American and any other woman worldwide. On June 15, 2018, Whitson announced her retirement from NASA and later became a consultant for Axiom Space and has been selected to be commander of Axiom Mission 2.

Although being a trained astronaut is a desirable aspect of selection for the first crew, it is more important that an individual bring scientific experience and knowledge to the mission. 

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