Astronaut Whitson, an Iowa native, flew on Expedition 50/51 which launched on November 17, 2016, and returned safely to Earth on September 3, 2017. During the expedition, she contributed to hundreds of experiments in biology, biotechnology, physical science and Earth science, welcomed several cargo spacecraft delivering tons of supplies and research experiments. She conducted six spacewalks to perform maintenance and upgrades to the International Space Station and personally participated in four spacewalks, bringing her career total to ten. With a total of 665 days in space, Whitson holds the U.S. record, placing eighth on the all-time space endurance list. She also completed two six-month tours of duty aboard the station for Expedition 5 in 2002, and as the station commander for Expedition 16 in 2008 where she accumulated 377 days in space between the two missions, the most for any U.S. woman at the time of her return to Earth.
The media is invited:
Tuesday, February 13, 2018
Becherer Hall at Rivermont Collegiate (1821 Sunset Drive in Bettendorf)
Astronaut Whitson will be giving a presentation at 9:30 a.m. and 10:45 a.m.
The media will have access to her from 10:20 to 10:45 a.m.
Rivermont Collegiate parents, students, faculty, and staff understand the importance of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) and are committed to ensuring students receive the highest quality education. The School’s vision to add a new, state-of-the-art, STEAM Center on campus demonstrates that commitment. Astronaut Whitson’s visit will help build excitement about careers in science, technology, engineering, and math as well as underscore the importance of quality education. Her Iowa roots make her a role model for all students in the Quad Cities and, just as importantly, her visit will put a spotlight on the contributions women are making in STEAM fields today.
Whitson was born Mt. Ayr, Iowa, about 90 miles southwest of Des Moines. Her hometown is Beaconsfield, Iowa. She graduated from Mt. Ayr Community High School in 1978; received a Bachelor of Science in Biology/Chemistry from Iowa Wesleyan College in 1981 and a Doctorate in Biochemistry from Rice University in 1985.
Read Astronaut Whitson’s full bio here: https://www.nasa.gov/astronauts/biographies/peggy-a-whitson/biography
# # #
