“I think I was a little kid who wanted to be an astronaut, and I just never grew out of it. Looking back, something I realized about myself, though, is I loved things that made me feel small... I just love contemplating the vastness of the universe and our place in it.”

Christina Koch

Christina Hammock Koch (pronounced “Cook”) is a NASA astronaut and electrical engineer. She is also the first woman to journey around the Moon. In April 2026, Koch and her crewmates completed the longest single space flight ever (406,771 kilometers).

Figure 1. “First braids to leave Earth orbit. (unconfirmed).” Photo Credit: astro_christina

On April 1, 2026, Koch launched from Kennedy Space Center as Mission Specialist I aboard NASA’s Artemis II mission—the first crewed mission to travel beyond the Earth’s orbit since 1972. Her job was testing Orion’s life support systems, pacing the way for future Artemis missions to land on the Moon. Previously, Koch served as a flight engineer on the International Space Station for 328 consecutive days and completed the first all-woman spacewalk. In space, she conducted research across plant biology, fire behavior, and quantum physics in microgravity—work with real-world applications for future deep-space missions, fire prevention, and fundamental science.

These accomplishments are nothing short of remarkable—especially considering NASA did not allow women into their astronaut program until the late 1970s, the first American woman did not go to space until 1983, and NASA only had one spacesuit to fit women in 2019.

Growing up, Koch always dreamed of becoming an astronaut. Born in Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1979 and later raised in North Carolina, she graduated from the North Carolina School of Science and Math and attended North Carolina State University, where she earned Bachelor of Science degrees in electrical engineering and physics, followed by a Master of Science in electrical engineering. At NASA, Koch built instruments for space science missions. Her career also took her to remote scientific bases as a researcher and to Alaska and American Samoa, where she served as a field engineer for the National Oceanic and American Samoa. Koch frames her personal milestones as collective achievements, tributes to the women who paved the way before her, Katherine Johnson, Kitty O’Brien Joyner, Sally Ride, Dr. Peggy Whitson, Dr. Mae Jemison. When asked how it felt to know she was making history for the longest single spaceflight, Koch reflected, “I’m just so happy that this history is being made.”

Figure 2. Meet NASA Astronaut Christina Koch, Artemis II Mission Specialist

Earthside, Koch enjoys surfing, rock climbing, yoga, backpacking, photography, and travel. She lives in Texas with her husband, Bob, and rescue dog, LBD (Little Brown Dog).