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Donald Trump calls to congratulate record-setting astronaut

Peggy Whitson has spent more time in space than any US atronaut.

Peggy Whitson has spent more time in space than any US atronaut. Photo: NASA

Astronaut Peggy Whitson has broken the US record for most time in space and talked up a trip to Mars during a congratulatory call from President Donald Trump.

The International Space Station commander surpassed the record of 534 days, two hours and 48 minutes for most accumulated time in space by an American.

“This is a very special day in the glorious history of American spaceflight,” Mr Trump said.

The President’s daughter and close adviser, Ivanka Trump, also offered congratulations to Ms Whitson from the Oval Office.

Ms Whitson said it is “a huge honour” to break the record, adding it was an exciting time as NASA prepares for human expeditions to Mars in the 2030s, included in new legislation signed by Mr Trump last month.

She called the space station “a key bridge” between living on Earth and travelling into deep space, and singled out the station’s recycling system that transforms astronauts’ urine into drinking water for special mention.

“It’s really not as bad as it sounds,” she assured the President.

“Well, that’s good, I’m glad to hear that,” he replied. “Better you than me.”

Ms Whitson was already the world’s most experienced spacewoman and female spacewalker and, at 57, the oldest woman in space.

By the time she returns to Earth in September, she’ll have logged 666 days in orbit over three flights.

The world record – 879 days – is held by Russia’s Gennady Padalka.

Ms Whitson broke the NASA cumulative record set last year by astronaut Jeffrey Williams; Scott Kelly holds the US record for consecutive days in space at 340.

Ms Whitson is also the first woman to command the space station twice and the only woman to have led NASA’s astronaut corps.

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