Iowa Astronaut Peggy Whitson to be Inducted into U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame

Your contribution fuels the stories that shape Decorah—make a difference today. From the plains of the Midwest to the stars, Peggy Whitson's career will continue reach new heights. The Iowa native and record-breaking astronaut will soon be honored with induction into the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame on May 31, 2025, at the Kennedy Space Center. Born in Mount Ayr and raised in Beaconsfield, Whitson moved on to accumulate an astounding 675 days in space—more than any other American astronaut at the time of her NASA retirement in 2018. Whitson, 64, earned degrees in biology and chemistry from Iowa Wesleyan University before obtaining a Ph.D. in biochemistry from Rice University. She began her tenure at NASA in 1989 as a research biochemist and went on to serve in numerous leadership roles, including Chief of the Astronaut Office and Commander of the International Space Station (ISS). She flew on three long-duration space missions and became the first woman to command the ISS twice. Although retired from NASA, Whitson remains a leader in human spaceflight. She now serves as the Director of Human Spaceflight for Axiom Space and continues to push the boundaries of exploration. Her next mission, Axiom Mission 4, is set to launch later this year, marking her second private spaceflight. Joining Whitson in this year's Astronaut Hall of Fame induction is Bernard Harris, a veteran of two space shuttle missionsThe Hall of Fame induction ceremony will take place at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, where Whitson will join the ranks of legendary astronauts who have shaped the history of space exploration. Don't miss out on important updates! Subscribe to the newsletter for free and stay informed about local topics that matter most to you.