Peggy Whitson is doing what she does best today (24 April): running the International Space Station (ISS) and breaking records.

The 56-year-old astronaut is already the oldest woman to have ever entered space and the first to lead the ISS, which she has done twice.

But this morning marked Whitson’s biggest record yet. She has now spent more time in space than any other American – 535 days and counting.

Only one person – Russian cosmonaut Gennady Padalka – has spent longer in orbit, having clocked more than 878 days over the course of his career.

Whitson acknowledged the record with a tweet, writing: “It is one of those rides that you hope never ends.”

CNN reported that President Donald Trump would call Whitson to congratulate her on the news. 

Whitson’s latest stint on the ISS was due to end on 2 June, but she is now set to stay until September as Russia reduces the number of cosmonauts on the ISS from three to two. When she departs the station, Whitson will have clocked 665 days in orbit.

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