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In Another World, Women Are in Charge

Irene Klotz, Discovery News

Whitson will have a series of crewmates and visitors during her planned six-month mission. Only cosmonaut Yuri Malenchenko, who commanded a station crew in 2003, will stay aboard for the whole stint. A series of NASA and European astronauts will fill the third live-aboard slot.

In addition, Whitson's mission begins with a guest astronaut aboard, Malaysia's Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor, an orthopedic physician and part-time model whose flight is part of a deal Russia cut to secure Malaysia's purchase of fighter jets.

The married 47-year-old, who already has one long-duration station mission under her belt, was given a traditional gag gift on Tuesday by her Russian hosts: a three-pronged whip "for the men to remember that you are the boss," officials said through a translator.

"I'm hoping that I will not be needing this," Whitson, speaking in Russian, said with a laugh. "But just in case ..."

Related Links:

Astronaut Bio: Pamela Melroy

Astronaut Bio: Peggy Whitson

Women in Space: A NASA History