Astronaut alum Don Pettit arrives at International Space Station
The chemical engineering alum will perform research on the ISS for six months.
At 69, Don Pettit is NASA's oldest active astronaut.
NASA
NASA astronaut Don Pettit, accompanied by two Russian cosmonauts, arrived at the International Space Station on Sept. 11. The trio joined the crew of Expedition 71, which is exploring neuro-degenerative diseases and therapies, space botany, space-caused fluid shifts, and algae-based life support systems.
Pettit, a flight engineer who earned a University of Arizona chemical engineering PhD in 1983, will join the crew of Expedition 72 during his stay when Expedition 71 is complete. He will spend approximately six months aboard the orbital outpost advancing scientific research before returning to Earth in the spring of 2025.
Pettit has learned to laugh when changes are called for during a mission, he said.
“Change happens all the time,” he said. “It’s just the way of life when you’re dealing with the frontier. Space station is in a frontier. It’s a place where mistakes can cost you dearly. It’s a place that’s rich in discovery.”
Dive into Pettit's career and his NASA mission.