Just Back On Earth, NASA’s Oldest Astronaut Eager To Launch Again

Mark Carreau April 29, 2025
petit

Don Pettit

Credit: NASA
HOUSTON—Just back from the International Space Station (ISS), NASA’s oldest astronaut, 70-year-old Don Pettit, says age has not worsened the physical stresses of returning to gravity and that he envisions perhaps two more journeys off the planet. After a 220-day mission to the ISS, Pettit returned...
Mark Carreau

Mark is based in Houston, where he has written on aerospace for more than 25 years. While at the Houston Chronicle, he was recognized by the Rotary National Award for Space Achievement Foundation in 2006 for his professional contributions to the public understanding of America's space program through news reporting.

Subscription Required

 

Just Back On Earth, NASA’s Oldest Astronaut Eager To Launch Again is published in Aerospace Daily & Defense Report, an Aviation Week Intelligence Network (AWIN) Market Briefing and is included with your AWIN membership.

Already a member of AWIN or subscribe to Aerospace Daily & Defense Report through your company? Login with your existing email and password.

Not a member?  Learn how you can access the market intelligence and data you need to stay abreast of what's happening in the aerospace and defense community.

LoginLearn How

Related Content

Onboard AI systems could help improve the productivity of astronauts Credit: NASA
Booz Allen, Meta Test ‘Space Llama’ AI System On Space Station
dragonfly nasa
NASA’s Dragonfly Mission To Saturn’s Moon Titan Clears Hurdle
A backup plan to deorbit the space station would use two Russian Progress spacecraft and the Russian segment of the station. The Progress 89 cargo craft was pictured leaving the station on Feb. 25. Credit: NASA
NASA, Russia Prepare Backup ISS Deorbit Plan
The Moon's lower orbits are filled with gravitational perturbations Credit: Alamy
DARPA Solicits Spacecraft For Moon’s Unstable Low Orbit
The ACES atomic clock investigation will be mounted outside the station's Columbus module. Credit: ESA/D. Ducros
Supply-Laden Cargo Ship Heads To Space Station
Space Digest
Get The Space Newsletter

Our award-winning editors bring news, analysis and insight on the space market. Delivered free to your inbox.

Subscribe Now