NASA's Record-Breaking Spacewoman Retires As Astronaut
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — NASA's record-breaking astronaut, Peggy Whitson, is retiring.
The space agency announced her retirement Friday, her last day on the job.
It's been the greatest honor to live out my lifelong dream of being a @NASA Astronaut. Thank you to the #NASAVillage and all who have supported me along the way. As I reminisce on my many treasured memories, it's safe to say my journey at NASA has been out of this world! pic.twitter.com/F4Dzrud4yL
— Peggy Whitson (@AstroPeggy) June 15, 2018
Whitson has spent more time off the planet than any other American: 665 days over three missions. She was the first woman to command the International Space Station, holding the position twice, and the oldest woman ever to fly in space. She was also the world's most experienced female spacewalker and the first woman to serve as NASA's chief astronaut.
The 58-year-old biochemist joined NASA as a researcher in 1986 and became an astronaut in 1996. Her last spaceflight was last year.
NASA officials say Whitson set the highest standards for human spaceflight and was an outstanding role model across the globe.