Who Is Christina Koch? 5 Things to Know About the Artemis 2 Astronaut

Christina Koch is preparing to make history once again.The veteran NASA astronaut has been selected for the highly anticipated Artemis II mission—a groundbreaking mission that will send humans around the Moon for the first time in more than 50 years.

Koch will join fellow astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Jeremy Hansen on the roughly 10-day journey.Already known for her record-breaking time in space and role in the first all-women spacewalk, Koch is now set to become the first woman to fly around the Moon.

Learn more about her life, career, and journey to this historic moment below.She Is Originally From North Carolina Koch was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, but she was raised in Jacksonville, North Carolina.

Growing up, she was inspired by pioneering astronauts and developed an early passion for science and exploration that eventually led her to pursue engineering and physics.She Is a NASA Astronaut Selected in 2013 Koch was selected as part of NASA’s 2013 astronaut class and later spent 328 consecutive days aboard the International Space Station—the longest single spaceflight by a woman. During that mission, she also participated in the first all-female spacewalk alongside fellow astronaut Jessica Meir.

“We caught each other’s eye, and we knew that we were really honored with this opportunity to inspire so many,” Koch said at the time, per CNN.“Just hearing our voices talk to Mission Control, knowing two female voices had never been on the loops, solving those problems together outside — it was a really special feeling.” She Is Married to Fellow Engineer Robert Koch Christina is married to Robert Koch, an engineer, and the couple has largely kept their relationship out of the spotlight.

She has shared that she often brings personal items, like handwritten notes from loved ones, on missions—highlighting how important her family support system is during long periods away from Earth.She Worked in Antarctica ...