12. Peggy Whitson: Commander in the Void
Spending a record 665 days in space, Peggy Whitson often found herself the only American aboard the International Space Station (ISS), balancing scientific work and intense loneliness. She described relying on humor, camaraderie, and communication with Earth to combat isolation’s psychological effects. Whitson emphasized the importance of recognizing a higher purpose and maintaining clear communication to navigate the challenges of prolonged isolation. (the-independent.com)