NASA astronaut sets record for most days in space

NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson has broken the record for most days in space by a US astronaut. She has completed a total of 666 days in space with at least 8 spacewalks.

“I’m not here because of the record. But I think having the record is important because we have to continue to progress, we have to continue to take the next steps,” Whitson said.

She arrived at the space station for her current stint on November 19, 2016, and is due to return to Earth in September.

Peggy Whitson is the first woman to command the International Space Station (ISS) twice.

Whitson first went into space in 2002 and became the first woman to command the ISS in 2007.

US President Donald Trump, his daughter Ivanka, and NASA astronaut Kate Rubins will call Peggy Whitson to congratulate her on the new record.