Which NASA woman astronaut on 24 April 2017 broke the record for cumulative time spent in space by a United States astronaut?

Introduction / Context:
Space exploration related questions in general knowledge exams often highlight records set by astronauts, particularly in terms of time spent in space. In April two thousand seventeen, a NASA astronaut broke the United States record for cumulative days in space. This milestone was notable because the record breaker was a woman and a very experienced space station commander.

Given Data / Assumptions:
- The date mentioned is twenty four April two thousand seventeen.- The record relates to cumulative time in space by a United States astronaut.- Several well known NASA astronauts are listed as options.

Concept / Approach:
The astronaut who set this record on that date is Peggy Whitson. She surpassed the previous United States record held by Jeff Williams for total days spent in space. Whitson is known for multiple long duration stays on the International Space Station and for serving as its commander. Remembering this specific link between the date, the record and her name allows quick selection of the correct option.

Step-by-Step Solution:
- Step 1: Note the clue that the astronaut is a woman from NASA.- Step 2: Recall that Peggy Whitson is an American biochemist and astronaut who has completed several expeditions to the International Space Station.- Step 3: On twenty four April two thousand seventeen she officially broke the United States record for total days in space.- Step 4: Compare options. Sunita Williams is also a female astronaut of Indian origin, but she did not hold the United States cumulative record at that specific date.- Step 5: Therefore, mark Peggy Whitson as the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
To verify, candidates can remember that Jeff Williams was the previous record holder whom Peggy Whitson surpassed. Sally Ride was the first American woman in space but did not hold the cumulative time record. Christina Koch later set a record for longest single spaceflight by a woman, which is a different kind of record. This mapping of each astronaut to a distinct achievement confirms that Peggy Whitson is associated with the cumulative time milestone in two thousand seventeen.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Jeff Williams is the astronaut whose record was broken; he was the previous holder, not the person who set the new mark on the given date.Sunita Williams has impressive mission durations and space walks but did not break the cumulative United States record on twenty four April two thousand seventeen.Sally Ride made history as the first American woman in space in nineteen eighty three; her achievement is different from the cumulative time record.Christina Koch later set a new record for longest single spaceflight by a woman, so her recognition is for a different time period and metric.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes choose Sunita Williams simply because she is a well known woman astronaut with Indian roots, without paying attention to the exact record and date. Another error is to confuse different types of records, such as total days in space versus longest single mission. To avoid such mistakes, it helps to create a small chart that pairs each astronaut with the specific achievement they are most known for.

Final Answer:
The NASA woman astronaut who on twenty four April two thousand seventeen broke the record for cumulative time spent in space by a United States astronaut is Peggy Whitson.