Christina Koch
Christina Koch is an American engineer and NASA astronaut whose career is marked by groundbreaking achievements in space. From record-setting spacewalks to extended missions, she has continuously pushed the boundaries of human exploration. Her journey from polar researcher to lunar voyager reveals a remarkable dedication to scientific discovery and adventure. Christina Koch set a new record for the longest single continuous stay in space by a woman, spending 328 days aboard the International Space Station. She was part of the historic first all-female spacewalk alongside Jessica Meir, a significant milestone in space exploration. Koch is slated to become the first woman to travel beyond low Earth orbit as a mission specialist on the Artemis II flight, circling the Moon in 2026.
AI Summary
Christina Koch is an American engineer and NASA astronaut whose career is marked by groundbreaking achievements in space. From record-setting spacewalks to extended missions, she has continuously pushed the boundaries of human exploration. Her journey from polar researcher to lunar voyager reveals a remarkable dedication to scientific discovery and adventure.
- Christina Koch set a new record for the longest single continuous stay in space by a woman, spending 328 days aboard the International Space Station.
- She was part of the historic first all-female spacewalk alongside Jessica Meir, a significant milestone in space exploration.
- Koch is slated to become the first woman to travel beyond low Earth orbit as a mission specialist on the Artemis II flight, circling the Moon in 2026.
Meet Christina Koch: Engineer, Astronaut, Record-Breaker
Christina Hammock Koch, born in January 1979, is an American engineer and NASA astronaut. She's a member of the elite class of 2013, known for a career that has consistently pushed the boundaries of human endeavor in space.
Before donning her iconic blue flight suit, Koch earned two Bachelor of Science degrees—one in electrical engineering and another in physics—from North Carolina State University. She then continued her advanced studies, securing a Master of Science in electrical engineering from the same institution.
Her early career included advanced study at the Goddard Space Flight Center, a testament to her deep commitment to scientific research. Just before joining NASA, she served as a station chief for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in American Samoa, a role that hinted at her adventurous spirit.
In 2019, Koch launched to the International Space Station, where she quickly made history. She participated in the first all-female spacewalk with fellow astronaut Jessica Meir, repairing vital power control units outside the ISS. This mission would prove to be truly extraordinary.
On December 28, 2019, Christina Koch officially broke the record for the longest continuous time in space by a woman. She returned to Earth in February 2020, having spent nearly a full year living and working in orbit. But her journey isn't over yet...
Looking to the future, Koch has been selected for the Artemis II flight, slated to circle the Moon in 2026. This monumental mission would make her the first woman to travel beyond low Earth orbit — a giant leap for humanity, and for women in space.
Her remarkable achievements haven't gone unnoticed; Christina Koch was recognized in Time's 100 Most Influential People of 2020, solidifying her place as a global icon.
Early Life and Education
Christina Koch's journey began in Grand Rapids, Michigan, though she was raised in Jacksonville, North Carolina. From a young age, she harbored a singular dream — a dream shared by many, but realized by few: to become an astronaut.
Her academic path was set early, graduating from the prestigious North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics. She then pursued her passion at North Carolina State University, earning dual Bachelor of Science degrees in electrical engineering and physics.
Her dedication continued with a Master of Science in electrical engineering. During her studies, she also immersed herself in the NASA Academy program at the Goddard Space Flight Center, getting a taste of the space agency's groundbreaking work.
A Path to the Stars: Research and Training
Koch's career before becoming an astronaut was a diverse tapestry of scientific exploration. She specialized in developing instruments for space science and undertaking remote scientific field engineering, truly getting her hands dirty in the pursuit of knowledge.
At NASA Goddard Space Flight Center's Laboratory for High Energy Astrophysics, she contributed to instruments aboard several NASA missions. These instruments were designed to unravel the mysteries of astrophysics and cosmology, pushing the boundaries of our understanding of the universe.
From 2004 to 2007, Koch ventured to Earth's polar extremes, working as a Research Associate in the United States Antarctic Program. She spent three-and-a-half years traveling through the Arctic and Antarctic, embracing some of the planet's harshest conditions.
One incredible feat was completing a winter-over season at the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station, where temperatures plummeted to a mind-numbing minus 111 degrees Fahrenheit. She also served on firefighting and search and rescue teams, showcasing her versatility and resilience.
Koch described her time at the South Pole as profoundly challenging — physically and mentally. It meant months without sunlight, working with the same small crew, and enduring complete isolation from fresh supplies or external communication. She learned to not just survive, but to thrive, in conditions akin to deep space.
After her polar expeditions, Koch transitioned to Johns Hopkins University's Applied Physics Laboratory. As an Electrical Engineer, she focused on developing space science instruments, contributing to vital tools for NASA's Juno and Van Allen Probes missions, which study radiation particles.
Her appetite for extreme environments continued with additional winter seasons at Summit Station in Greenland and another tour at Palmer Station in Antarctica. Her career then led her to NOAA, where she was a field engineer in Alaska and later a station chief in American Samoa.
Becoming an Astronaut
Her impressive resume and adventurous spirit made her a prime candidate for NASA. In June 2013, Christina Koch was officially selected as part of NASA's Astronaut Group 21, taking a monumental step towards her childhood dream.
Two years of intensive training followed, preparing her for the unforgiving environment of space. This included rigorous instruction in International Space Station systems, spacewalks, robotics, physiological training, T-38 jet flight training, and crucial water and wilderness survival skills.
Expedition to the ISS
On March 14, 2019, Koch's dream became reality as she launched aboard Soyuz MS-12, beginning her journey to the International Space Station. She joined the Expedition 59 crew as a flight engineer, ready to embark on what would become a historic mission.
Originally, Koch was slated for the first all-female spacewalk with Anne McClain. While spacesuit sizing issues led to a change in plans for that specific EVA, the historic moment wasn't far off. On October 18, she completed the first actual all-female spacewalk with Jessica Meir, a triumphant moment for women in space.
Due to reassignments within the Commercial Crew Development program, Koch's mission was extended significantly. She returned to Earth on February 6, 2020, after an astonishing 328 days in orbit — surpassing Peggy Whitson's previous record for women. This extended mission provided invaluable data for studying the long-term effects of space travel on women's bodies.
Beyond Earth Orbit: Artemis II
Christina Koch's next frontier lies beyond Earth's orbit, as she has been selected as a mission specialist for NASA's Artemis II program. This monumental mission is set to fly around the Moon in mid-to-late 2026.
She will journey with fellow NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman and Victor Glover, and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen. Together, they will travel an astounding 6,400 miles beyond the Moon's far side before making their triumphant return to Earth, marking a new chapter in lunar exploration.
Life Beyond the Stars
When not training for lunar missions or breaking records in space, Christina Koch resides in Texas with her husband, Robert Koch. Her personal interests reflect the same adventurous spirit seen in her career.
She enjoys a wide array of outdoor activities, including backpacking, rock climbing, paddling, sailing, and running. Her passions also extend to yoga, community service, photography, surfing, and, of course, extensive travel.
Awards and Honors
Throughout her distinguished career, Christina Koch has accumulated numerous awards and accolades. These include multiple NASA Group Achievement Awards for her contributions to missions like Juno and Suzaku, as well as an Astronaut Scholarship.
Notably, she received the United States Congress Antarctic Service Medal with Winter-Over distinction for her time at the South Pole. In December 2020, her alma mater, North Carolina State University, honored her with an honorary Doctor of Sciences degree, recognizing her profound impact on science and exploration.
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Christina Koch
Christina Hammock Koch ( KUUK; née Hammock; born January 29, 1979) is an American engineer and NASA astronaut of the class of 2013. She received Bachelor of Science degrees in electrical engineering and physics and a Master of Science in electrical engineering at North Carolina State University. She also did advanced study while working at the Goddard Space Flight Center. Just before becoming an astronaut, she served at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration as station chief for American Samoa.
On March 14, 2019, Koch launched to the International Space Station as a flight engineer on Expedition 59, (/wiki/Expedition60), and (/wiki/Expedition61). On October 18, 2019, she and Jessica Meir were the first women to participate in an all-female spacewalk to replace a down power control unit located outside of the International Space Station. On December 28, 2019, Koch broke the record for longest continuous time in space by a woman. She returned from space on February 6, 2020.
On April 1, 2026, Koch launched as a crew member of the Artemis II mission, which is planned to conduct a lunar flyby. If successful, she will be the first woman to travel beyond low Earth orbit and into the vicinity of the Moon.
Koch was included in Time's 100 Most Influential People of 2020.
Early life and education
Christina Koch
Koch was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and raised in Jacksonville, North Carolina, by parents Barbara Johnsen of Frederick, Maryland, and Ronald Hammock of Jacksonville. Koch's childhood dream was to become an astronaut.
Koch graduated from the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics in Durham in 1997, and then enrolled at North Carolina State University in Raleigh, from which she earned two Bachelor of Science degrees, in electrical engineering and physics (2001), and a Master of Science degree in electrical engineering (2002). In 2001, she became a graduate of the NASA Academy program at the Goddard Space Flight Center.
Research and training
Christina Koch
Koch signals her success in starting a fire during wilderness survival training in 2013.
Koch has worked in the space science instrument development and remote scientific field engineering fields. During her time working as an electrical engineer at NASA GSFC's Laboratory for High Energy Astrophysics, she contributed to scientific instruments on several NASA missions that studied astrophysics and cosmology. During this time, she also served as Adjunct Faculty at Montgomery College in Maryland and led a Physics Laboratory course.
Koch worked as a Research Associate in the United States Antarctic Program from 2004 to 2007, spending three-and-a-half years traveling the Arctic and Antarctic regions. She completed a winter-over season at the Amundsen–Scott South Pole Station where she experienced minus-111 degree Fahrenheit (-79.4 C) temperatures. She completed an additional season at Palmer Station. While in Antarctica, Koch served as a member of the Firefighting Teams and Ocean/Glacier Search and Rescue Teams. She has described her time in the South Pole as challenging mentally and physically: "[This] means going months without seeing the sun, with the same crew, and without shipments of mail or fresh food. The isolation, absence of family and friends, and lack of new sensory inputs are all conditions that you must find a strategy to thrive within."
From 2007 to 2009, Koch worked as an Electrical Engineer in the Space Department of the Applied Physics Laboratory at Johns Hopkins University focusing on space science instrument development. She contributed to instruments studying radiation particles for NASA missions, including the Juno and Van Allen Probes. The following year, Koch completed tours of Palmer Station in Antarctica and multiple winter seasons at Summit Station in Greenland. In 2012, she worked at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in two capacities: first as a Field Engineer at NOAA's Global Monitoring Division Baseline Observatory in Barrow Alaska (now Utqiaġvik), and then as Station Chief of the American Samoa Observatory.
Astronaut career
Christina Koch
Koch graduated from the NASA Academy program at GSFC in 2001. She worked as an Electrical Engineer in the Laboratory for High Energy Astrophysics at GSFC from 2002 to 2004.
In June 2013, Koch was selected by NASA as part of Astronaut Group 21. She completed training in July 2015, making her available for future missions. Her Astronaut Candidate Training included scientific and technical briefings, intensive instruction in International Space Station systems, spacewalks, robotics, physiological training, T-38 flight training, and water and wilderness survival training.
Expedition 59 crew members Anne McClain, Oleg Kononenko, and David Saint-Jacques welcome their new crew members, Nick Hague, Alexey Ovchinin, and Koch (bottom right) who arrived at the International Space Station on March 14, 2019.
On March 14, 2019, Koch launched to the International Space Station on Soyuz MS-12, alongside Aleksey Ovchinin and Nick Hague, to join the Expedition 59/(/wiki/Expedition60)/(/wiki/Expedition61) crew.
Koch was scheduled to perform her first EVA on March 29; this would have been the first all-female spacewalk alongside Anne McClain, but spacesuit sizing issues resulted in it being reassigned from McClain to Hague. Koch performed the first all-female spacewalk with Jessica Meir on October 18, as part of a lengthy series of upgrades to the ISS' power systems and physics observatories. Koch and Meir followed the historic walk with two more female team walks in January 2020.
On April 17, 2019, due to reassignment schedules with the Commercial Crew Development program, Koch's mission was extended to February 2020. She returned to Earth on February 6 after 328 days – the longest single continuous stay in space for a woman, exceeding Peggy Whitson's 289 days. In addition, for a first-time astronaut, this NASA mission change has never happened before. Koch's extended mission is being used to study the physical, biological, and mental effects of long-term space travel on women. While on this mission Koch made the first edit to Wikipedia from space.
Official crew portrait for Artemis II, from left: NASA Astronauts Christina Koch, Victor Glover, Reid Wiseman, and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen.
Koch was selected as one of the crew members for NASA's Artemis program. On April 3, 2023, she was announced as a mission specialist in the Artemis II crew, which plans to fly around the Moon in April 2026, traveling 6,400 miles beyond the Moon's far side before returning to Earth. She will be the first woman to leave low Earth orbit and travel around the Moon. She is joined by NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen.
Personal life
Christina Koch
Koch resides in Texas with her husband, Robert Koch.
Awards and honors
Christina Koch
Koch has earned a number of awards during her tenure at NASA and Johns Hopkins, including the NASA Group Achievement Award, NASA Juno Mission Jupiter Energetic Particle Detector Instrument, 2012; Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, Invention of the Year nominee, 2009; United States Congress Antarctic Service Medal with Winter-Over distinction, 2005; NASA Group Achievement Award, NASA Suzaku Mission X-ray Spectrometer Instrument, 2005; Astronaut Scholar, Astronaut Scholarship Foundation, 2000 to 2001.
In December 2020, Koch was awarded an honorary Doctor of Sciences degree from her alma mater, North Carolina State University.