Christina Koch
Christina Hammock Koch (/kʊk/ COOK; 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.
Christina Koch | |
|---|---|
| Born | Christina Hammock January 29, 1979 Grand Rapids, Michigan, U.S. |
| Education | North Carolina State University (BS, MS) |
| Space career | |
| NASA astronaut | |
Time in space | 328d 13h 58m |
| Selection | NASA Group 21 (2013) |
Total EVAs | 6 |
Total EVA time | 42h 15m |
| Missions | Soyuz MS-12/Soyuz MS-13 (Expedition 59/60/61) Artemis 2 |
Mission insignia | |
On March 14, 2019, Koch launched to the International Space Station as a Flight Engineer on Expedition 59, 60 and 61. 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.
Koch was selected as part of the crew for the Artemis II flight, which intends to circle the Moon in 2025 which, if successful, will make her the first woman to travel beyond low Earth orbit.
Koch was included in Time's 100 Most Influential People of 2020.