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Christina Koch: Artemis 2 astronaut set to go to moon was part of first-ever all-female spacewalk in 2019

Born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Christina Koch, 44, set a record for the single longest mission by a woman aboard the International Space Station with 328 days

HOUSTON, TEXAS: NASA has named a crew of astronauts headed to the moon for the first time in over half a century. NASA's last moon mission was Apollo 17, which took place in 1972. On Monday, April 3, 2023, the space agency announced the name of the astronauts for its Artemis 2 mission -- commander Reid Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover and mission specialists Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen.

"Reid, Victor, Christina, and Jeremy, each of these adventurers has their own story. But together, they represent our creed: E pluribus unum — out of many, one," NASA Administrator Bill Nelson said, according to Space.com. "Together, we will usher in a new era of exploration for a new generation of star sailors and dreamers — the Artemis Generation," Nelson added.

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Who is Christina Koch?

Koch, 44, is a member of NASA's 21st astronaut class selected in 2013. Born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and raised in Jacksonville, North Carolina, she set a record for the single longest mission by a woman aboard the International Space Station with 328 days. She was one-half of the first-ever all-female spacewalk during that stay in 2019. Koch is also an engineer and former US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) station chief.

"My fellow astronauts know that one of the questions we get all the time is, 'Are you excited?' And I can tell you when I think about this mission... am I excited? Absolutely," said Koch, adding, "My real question is, 'Are you excited?'"

According to NASA, "Growing up spending summers on her family’s farm in Michigan, she was instilled with a passion for hard work and challenges. Koch enjoys backpacking, rock climbing, paddling, surfing, running, yoga, community service, photography and travel."

"Koch attended North Carolina State University in Raleigh, North Carolina, where she earned Bachelor of Science degrees in Electrical Engineering and Physics and a Master of Science degree in Electrical Engineering. She attended high school at the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics in Durham, North Carolina and White Oak High School in Jacksonville, North Carolina. She received an Honorary PhD from North Carolina State University," NASA further said.

'You are a role model for all girls out there'

Social media users congratulated Koch for the momentous news, with one user saying, "Back in 2020 when @Astro_Christina was returning from ISS I first learned about her, and I was excited about her being an electrical engineer it inspired me to pursue this field and continue in the space industry that I always loved Thank you and Congratulations."

Another user wrote, "Congrats @Astro_Christina ! I sincerely hope this is just the first of many missions to the moon for you - including one where you put boots to lunar soil!"

"Awesome! You are the engineer of the Team. My respect," one user said, while another wrote, "This is fantastic news! Congratulations Christina."

"Congratulations @Astro_Christina on making the crew of Artemis II. You’re paving a stellar pathway for the next generation of space explorers," one user said, while another wrote, "Wonderful there is a veteran lady on board! Go @Astro_Christina!!" One said, "So proud of you! You are a role model for all girls out there!" Another wrote, "From engineer to astronaut, Christina Koch is a trailblazer who reminds us that with perseverance and passion, anything is possible. Keep reaching for the stars!"

'The astronauts will come within 6,479 miles of the lunar surface'

The four astronauts will reportedly lift off aboard NASA's Orion spacecraft atop a Space Launch System (SLS) rocket from Pad 39B at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. This will be the first time both the capsule and booster will fly with astronauts aboard. This will also be the second launch of both vehicles together after the uncrewed Artemis 1 test flight in 2022.

The 10-day Artemis 2 mission is supposed to follow a hybrid free return trajectory instead of orbbiting or landing on the moon. The crew will use the SLS upper stage, known as the interim cryogenic propulsion stage, as a target for proximity operations.

The astronauts will come within 6,479 miles (10,427 kilometers) of the lunar surface. They will reportedly travel 6,400 miles (10,300 km) beyond the far side of the moon, from where they will be able to see  Earth and the moon from Orion's windows. This is farther than any human being has traveled into deep space. The Orion will eventually splash down in the Pacific ocean and will met met with by US Navy ships and NASA teams, who will recover the crew and spacecraft. 

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