(Radio Iowa) – Iowa-born astronaut Peggy Whitson and three crewmates are preparing for tomorrow morning’s launch aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket headed for the International Space Station. Calling herself a “science nerd,” the 65-year-old Whitson says the two-week Axiom Space mission will be packed with some 60 experiments to conduct aboard the orbiting station. “This mission will focus on a diverse range of science, technology demonstrations, and outreach activities that will benefit not just the space community, but people back here on Earth,” Whitson says. “We’ll be conducting research that spans biology, material and physical sciences, as well as technology demonstrations.”

Whitson is director of human spaceflight at Axiom Space and this Ax-4 mission is her second with the private, Houston-based firm. She flew three missions with NASA prior to retiring from the agency in 2018. Considered America’s most experienced astronaut, Whitson says she’s thrilled to be returning to the ISS for this venture. “As a science nerd, I’m most looking forward to seeing the impact of our research,” Whitson says. “In particular, one investigation that will serve as a pathfinder to one day enable people with diabetes to fly in space, and another looking at the effectiveness of two novel types of medications for inhibiting cancer cell growth.”

Joy, the mission’s zero-g indicator (Axiom Space photo)

To date, no diabetic has ever gone into orbit. “You may not know, but a person with diabetes can’t fly in space because it’s disqualifying and not considered to be safe because we wouldn’t know how their bodies would respond,” Whitson says. “So if we have the appropriate technology to monitor the individuals, we feel that we can open up that door and that path for a lot of folks in the world and just open up space a little bit more.”

Whitson is mission commander, and her three teammates hail from different countries: India, Hungary, and Poland. During an Axiom Space news conference last week, Whitson revealed the mission’s stuffed mascot, a fuzzy white swan with a black-and-yellow beak named Joy. She says the bird will be their “zero-gravity indicator,” as it will float around in the SpaceX Dragon capsule once they leave the Earth’s atmosphere.

“Joy represents the shared aspirations of three nations, united in their return to human spaceflight,” Whitson says. “The swan is rich in cultural symbolism. It stands for wisdom in India, resilience in Poland, and grace in Hungary. Through Joy, we will celebrate our diversity and our unity in the shared journey of space exploration.”

Ax-4 crew (Axiom Space photo)

Whitson, who grew up on a farm near Beaconsfield, has spent 675 days in orbit, more time than any other woman astronaut. Launch of Ax-4 is scheduled for 7:22 AM/Central on Tuesday from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Watch the launch live HERE.