Record-breaking astronaut gets space call from Trump

NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson has broken the record for the longest time an American has spent in space.

She has now spent 534 cumulative days in orbit.

President Donald Trump called Whitson at the International Space Station today to congratulate her.

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

When Whitson explained one of her jobs was to make urine drinkable, Trump joked that he was "glad to hear it, better you than me".

Trump's daughter Ivanka and NASA astronaut Kate Rubins joined the call, as well as astronaut Jack Fischer who arrived at the International Space Station last week.

Whitson has another five months in orbit, which will bring her total days in space up to 650 by the time she returns to Earth later this year.

President Trump has recently added the human exploration of Mars to NASA's objectives – and Whitson told him that they "are absolutely ready to go to Mars".

The previous US record for cumulative time in space was held by Jeff Williams, at 534 days, 2 hours and 48 minutes.