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Infrastructure & Technology

POTUS to Call Space to Congratulate Record Breaking Astronaut Peggy Whitson

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On Monday, April 24, 2017, President Donald J. Trump will call the commander of the International Space Station, astronaut Peggy Whitson, to congratulate her on breaking the American record for the most total days in space. The current record holder, Jeff Williams stayed in space for 534 days. Whitson will break that record for most cumulative days in space Monday at 1:27 a.m. EDT. In 2002, Whitson flew to space for the first time on the Expedition 5 mission and in 2007 she became the first female astronaut to take command of the International Space Station. Whitson also holds the record for most spacewalks conducted by a female astronaut.

Details for the President’s call with astronaut Peggy Whitson:

When: Monday, April 24, 2017

Time: 10:00 AM EDT

Where: The President will call the International Space Station from the Oval Office

Who: Ivanka Trump and astronaut Kate Rubins will join the President’s call with Commander Whitson and astronaut Jack Fischer will be joining Whitson at the International Space Station.

How to tune in: The 20 minute call will air live on NASA Television and will be livestreamed on NASA’s website and Facebook page.

Get more information on this historic event here.