Nationality: USA
Inducted: 2024
Notable Record(s):
- Most accumulated time on spacewalks by a female (53 hours 22 minutes)
An ICON because...
Space flight is known to be a largely male-dominated field, with the majority of astronauts being men. In this disparity, female talent shines all the brighter.
That's also the case of biochemistry researcher and Chief Astronaut Peggy Whitson (USA): an award-winning professional, a record holder, and an icon for every girl dreaming of becoming an astronaut.
After spending 665 days in space, Peggy became the first ever woman, and the first non-pilot, to serve as Chief Astronaut. NASA rewarded her career with several accolades, such as the NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal in 2006, and she was recognized as one of BBC's 100 Women of 2017.
Between 2002 and 2017, Peggy broke the record for most spacewalks by a female with 10 extravehicular activities around the International Space Station (ISS).
