Well I think it’s very difficult to go to space and not be changed, to some degree. Has it influenced your sense of perspective do you think? We’re all a lot more alike than we are different.įirst of all, space must be one of the most spectacular views anyone’s ever seen. It seems the sky isn’t the limit after all… A change of perspective Peggy, thank you for giving us a peek into the fascinating and hugely important world of space travel. We talked about her experience learning Russian, adapting communication for different crews, the life skills she looks for in potential astronauts, and how looking out into space forever changes your perspective. I had the pleasure of speaking to Peggy Whitson, Nasa astronaut, who has not only spent 665 days in space ( a current record for any US astronaut and a record for women worldwide) and served as Commander of the International Space Station, but also served as Chief of the Astronaut Office and Chairperson of the Astronaut Selection Board. The International Space Station is a perfect example of people from varied cultures combining their skills, developing as a team and showing that language isn’t a barrier when you have a common goal. So what’s the language of the space station? What’s the furthest you’ve travelled from home? Did it change your perspective? Space travel is a step (or a giant leap?) further than most of us can imagine, but global teams of astronauts make the International Space Station their home for months at a time.

International space station capitalized