Veteran astronaut Peggy Whitson is no stranger to firsts. She’s spent more days in space than any other American, and is now leading Axiom-4 mission to ISS. In an interview to TOI’s Chethan Kumar, Whitson talks about adapting to life in orbit, rise of commercial spaceflight, and why diversity will shape the future of space exploration. Excerpts:
You’ve seen spaceflight evolve dramatically. How different is the landscape now?
It’s changed a lot. When I started, spaceflight was almost entirely govt-led. Now, companies like Axiom Space are transforming how we explore space. They’re not only accelerating innovation but also opening doors for more people and more science … It’s an exciting time to be involved in space exploration.
How do you maintain physical and mental health during extended space missions?
Staying healthy in space is a top priority. We follow a strict exercise routine to counteract the effects of microgravity – things like muscle loss and bone density reduction. Nutrition is key, too. Mentally, staying sharp means staying connected with loved ones and keeping ourselves intellectually engaged. Whether it’s science, reading, or crew activities, it’s about finding ways to stay focused and fulfilled. The ground team’s support and the camaraderie with fellow astronauts play a huge role.
You’ve conducted many spacewalks. What’s one challenge that truly caught you off guard?
During one spacewalk, we unexpectedly lost a thermal and micrometeoroid shield. Despite meticulous planning, space has its surprises. The shield drifted away, and we had to rely on the ground team’s rapid thinking to come up with a workaround.
What makes the Axiom-4 mission stand out?
Ax-4 is setting a new benchmark. We’re conducting more research studies than any private ISS mission before. It’s not just about science-it’s about international collaboration… And for countries like India, which have bold space ambitions, missions like this demonstrate how commercial partnerships can help achieve those goals faster.
