On Pettit, the 70 -year -old NASA astronaut, he landed safely in Kazakhstan and identified the successful conclusion of his fourth space flight, a seven -month mission on board the International Space Station (ISS).
The pettit is the oldest active astronaut NASA and one of the most experienced history of the universe survey. With more than 590 days spent in orbit, it keeps the record for most of the time in space in any American male astronaut.
Petti’s career, known for his pioneering contributions to science and technology, lasts almost three decades, making him a significant figure in the research of the universe and in public reach. His last return from space another remarkable chapter to his inheritance in the universe survey.
Profile: don pettit
Donald Roy Pettit, born April 20, 1955, is a renowned American astronaut and chemical engineer, holding an important place in the history of the universe survey. The pettit, known for its pioneering contributions to science and technology, has accumulated more than 590 days in space – more than any other American male astronaut. Since 2025, at the age of 70, the pettit remains the oldest active astronaut NASA and the second oldest person who has ever reached orbit, only for John Glenn.
During his long career, Pettit became known for his innovations in space, especially his invention of Zero G Cup, the first patent for the building invented in space. It is also known for its astrophotography, capturing unique star trails and phenomena in space. His career covers three long -term cash registers aboard the International Space Station (ISS), one Space Shuttle Mission and a fascinating expedition to Antarctica to seek meteorites.
Early Life and Education
Petti’s passion for science that was born and grew up in Silverton, Oregon, was clear from a young age. As a scout Eagle, he exhibited early leadership and determination to a scientific survey. Pettit graduated from the Oregon State University in 1978 with the bachelor of science in chemical engineering, followed by Ph.D. In chemical engineering from the University of Arizona in 1983. From 1984 to 1996 he worked as a scientist at the National Laboratory Los Alamos before being selected in 1996 as a candidate for Astronaut NASA.
Cesta to space: first mission and breakthrough
Pettit’s first journey to space began in 2002 as a flight engineer on expedition 6 on the ISS. Initially, he was a backup for astronaut Donald Thomas, but he was invited at the last minute to replace him for medical concerns. The pettit conducted two extravahicular activities (EVAS) and participated in vital scientific experiments, even filming his popular series “Saturday morning science”, where he demonstrated the behavior of fluids in microgravity. Pettit’s return to Earth was marked by a demanding soy landing that exposed him to the extreme forces of G.
Technological Innovation: Zero-G Cup and more
Pettit’s inventive spirit exceeded scientific research. During his operation on the ISS, he designed zero G Cup – a breakthrough in space technology that eliminated the need for a straw in microgravity. The cup uses the surface tension of fluids to carry fluids along the fold, which facilitates drinking in zero gravity. This invention not only gained extensive media attention, but also gained pettit the very first patent for the building created in space, as stated in the National Geographic magazine in 2009.
In addition, Pettit designed and built a barn door tracker during expedition 6, which allowed photographs of a high -resolution country, including stunning images of urban lights at night. This invention showed Pettta’s ingenuity and its ability to use available materials to deal with complex challenges in space.
More space flights and contributions to space research
During his career, the pettit started three other space missions. His second mission, STS-126 in 2008, was a short-term mission on board Space Saketle Endeavor, where he delivered supplies and equipment to the ISS. During this pettit mission, he conducted pioneering experiments to clump solid particles in microgravity and promoted our understanding of planetary creation.
On his third mission, expedition 30/31 (2011-2012), Pettit played a key role in capturing the first ever commercial spacecraft The SpaceX Dragon, which became the first private spacecraft to meet the ISS. The pettit joked great, “Houston, station, we have a dragon behind the tail.” This mission meant a historical milestone in the use of a commercial space flight for Mission Mission for ISS.
The pettit also contributed to public reach, including cooperation with Rovio Entertainment to promote educational videos representing Franchise Angry Birds, where he demonstrated the basic principles of physics in space.
Expedition to Antarctica: Research of Meteorite and Science of Ice
In addition to his space flights, he spent six weeks in Antarctica as part of the Antarctic search for meteorites (Ansmet). There he gathered meteorite samples, including lunar meteorite, and dealt with scientific experiments. During this time, Pettit conducted emergency electrical repairs and dental surgery, all in the continuation of his “Saturday morning science” series with unique glacier ice and micrometeorite experiments.
Heritage and Future in Space Survey
Don Pettit’s career is proof of the importance of innovation, resistance and curiosity. As one of the most experienced astronauts in history, his contributions to space science, technology and education continue to influence the future of the universe survey.
NASA astronaut and two Roscosmos Cosmonauts are returning from ISS after a seven -month -old mission
On Sunday in Kazakhstan in Kazakhstan she safely landed in Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan with the sojouz capsule, which bears three astronauts-two from Russia and one of the United States. The trio, consisting of Roscosmos Cosmonauts Alexey Ovchinin and Ivan Vagner, along with Astronaut NASA Don Pettit, touched nearly at 6:20 local time.
Russian space agency Roscosmos confirmed that landing supported by parachute was smooth and trouble -free and after spending 220 days in space spent a successful return of the crew.
Seven months in orbit
Astronauts completed an impressive 220 days in space, during which they orbital the Earth for a total of 3,520 times. The pettit that celebrated its 70th birthday on the same day of landing had the difference to become the oldest active astronaut NASA while on board the spacecraft. This meant his fourth space flight and during his 29 -year -old NASA career brought his overall time spent in orbit for more than 18 months.
Comparison with past NASA missions
This mission is remarkable because it was just short before nine months spent on ISS Astronauts NASA Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, who were delayed when they return because of the technical problems of the spacecraft they tested. These problems forced them to remain in orbit longer than originally planned.
Also read | The oldest serving astronaut NASA DON PETTIT becomes 70 when landing on the ground (tagstotranslate) don pettit
