NASA's oldest astronaut has just celebrated his 70th birthday twice, once in space, once on Earth
- NASA’s oldest active astronaut just got back from his fourth spaceflight
- It was also the day of his 70th birthday and he got to celebrate twice
- He is the third on the list of Americans who spent the most time in space
Published on Apr 23, 2025 at 7:58 AM (UTC-4)
by Daisy Edwards
Last updated on Apr 23, 2025 at 8:01 AM (UTC-4)
Edited by
Tom Wood
NASA’s oldest astronaut has celebrated his 70th birthday doing the thing he loves most—being in space. Thanks to time zones, he got the chance to celebrate his milestone birthday once in space and once on Earth.
We think that maybe NASA astronaut Don Pettit is the only person ever to celebrate his 70th birthday in space.
Pettit loves being in space and has spent 590 days in orbit over his career, making him take the bronze position on the list of the most days an American has spent in space.
Despite hitting his 70th birthday, it doesn’t seem like he’s slowing down anytime soon and as NASA’s oldest astronaut, he deserves to celebrate his earth birthday and his space birthday too.
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An astronaut so good he gets to celebrate his 70th birthday twice
NASA’s oldest astronaut, Don Pettit, returned to Earth on Sunday after a seven-month stint on the International Space Station.
Not only was it a special day because he came back home, but it was also his 70th birthday.
Having already celebrated his birthday in space, he got a chance to celebrate his earth-day birthday back on the ground.
Pettit is known for his love of astro-photography, but is also a chemical engineer working on improving space-based 3D printing and water sanitization technology.
NASA’s oldest astronaut is not slowing down
Don Pettit is a bit of a space veteran, he has been an astronaut since 1996 and went to space for the first time in 2002.
He has spent 590 days in orbit over his whole career, putting him third on the list of longest space stints done by American astronauts, he was beaten out by Suni Williams recently due to her unprecedented long stay on the ISS.
Pettit clearly loves space, which makes it seem quite sweet that he got the chance to celebrate his milestone birthday amongst the stars, where he feels he belongs.
In an interview Pettit once said: “I come alive when I’m in orbit. It’s like my being should be in space.
“Some people are born to be cowboys and ride a horse, I’m born to ride a rocket and be in space.”
Happy Birthday(s) Don Pettit, we hope your day was out of this world.
Daisy is a technology and automotive journalist covering artificial intelligence, consumer tech, Apple news, cryptocurrency, emerging technologies, and transportation innovation. Since joining the team in 2025, she has reported on everything from AI-powered startups and major iOS updates to viral car stories and the latest developments shaping transportation and the digital economy. Drawing on her background in automotive journalism and a degree in History and Journalism from Goldsmiths, University of London, Daisy specializes in breaking down complex topics into clear, engaging reporting for a global audience. Her work spans cutting-edge technology, innovative vehicles, and the people driving change across both industries. Daisy has gained first-hand access to some of the world's most talked-about technologies and innovators, including meeting Tesla's Optimus humanoid robot during its first European appearance in London. She has also discussed the future of space exploration with an astronaut, bringing unique insights and real-world perspectives to her coverage of emerging technology.
