John Yembrick
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-0602
john.yembrick-1@nasa.gov
MEDIA ADVISORY: M08-119
ASTRONAUT PEGGY WHITSON AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEWS IN WASHINGTON
WASHINGTON -- NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson, the first female commander
of the International Space Station, will be visiting Washington on
Wednesday, June 18, to participate in NASA Day on the Hill.
Whitson will be available for media interviews from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.
EDT at NASA Headquarters, 300 E. Street, S.W., Washington. Interested
reporters should contact John Yembrick at 202-358-0602 by 5 p.m.,
Tuesday, June 17, to reserve interview time.
Whitson's visit coincides with the 25th anniversary of Sally Ride's
historic flight. On June 18, 1983, Ride became the first American
woman in space, flying on the space shuttle Challenger.
Whitson, who returned to Earth April 19 after approximately six months
on the station, has accumulated more time in orbit than any U.S.
astronaut. She conducted five spacewalks on Expedition 16, her most
recent mission, and one on her previous flight. Whitson has totaled
39 hours and 46 minutes of spacewalking time, more than any other
woman.
NASA Day on the Hill is an interactive, all-day public event on
Capitol Hill that highlights NASA's Earth and space science
portfolio, aeronautics research, and continued leadership in human
spaceflight and exploration. Whitson will give a presentation about
her spaceflight experience and NASA's future at 6 p.m. in the foyer
of the Rayburn House Office Building.
Whitson's biography is available at:
http://www.jsc.nasa.gov/Bios/htmlbios/whitson.htmlFor more information on the space station, visit:
http://www.nasa.gov/station
