Christina Koch is a NASA engineer and astronaut who was named to serve as the agency’s acting deputy chief engineer beginning on Sunday, November 1 Mirage News.
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Koch began her NASA career as an electrical engineer at the Goddard Space Flight Center, was selected as an astronaut in 2013, and served as a mission specialist on the Artemis II mission Mirage News.
Where Christina Koch Is Now
Christina Koch will serve as NASA’s acting deputy chief engineer beginning on Sunday, Nov. 1, following the retirement of Katherine Van Hooser Mirage News. With this appointment, Koch transitions to management astronaut status and is no longer eligible for future spaceflight assignments Mirage News.
- Current role: Acting deputy chief engineer Mirage News
- Organization: NASA AOL
- Known for: Setting the record for the longest single spaceflight by a woman at 328 consecutive days aboard the International Space Station and participating in the first all-female spacewalks Mirage News
- Recent news: Named to serve as NASA’s acting deputy chief engineer beginning November 1, succeeding Katherine Van Hooser WESH
Career and Spaceflight
Koch graduated from North Carolina State University AOL. Before becoming an astronaut, Koch worked in scientific field engineering in Antarctica and the Arctic Mirage News.
Koch began her NASA career as an electrical engineer at the Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, developing scientific instruments for space missions, and was selected as an astronaut by NASA in 2013 Mirage News.
Koch spent 328 consecutive days aboard the International Space Station, setting the record for the longest single spaceflight by a woman, and participated in the first all-female spacewalks Mirage News. She also served as a mission specialist on NASA’s Artemis II mission in April, where she participated in a manual piloting demonstration aboard the Orion spacecraft to gather data on its deep space handling capabilities WESH. In total, Koch has logged 338 days in space across two flights WESH.
Leadership and Responsibilities
Koch held leadership positions within NASA’s Astronaut Office and at the Johnson Space Center in Houston Mirage News.
In her role as acting deputy chief engineer, Koch will support technical oversight, mission readiness, and engineering excellence across NASA’s programs and projects Mirage News.
Recent Events and Recognition
Koch and the Artemis II crew were recognized by the National Aeronautic Association for surpassing the record for the farthest distance traveled in human spaceflight Mirage News.
Koch and her Artemis II crewmates were scheduled to present mission highlights at the University of Houston’s Fertitta Center on September 30 Mirage News. Koch was also scheduled to visit Raleigh for an event titled ‘From North Carolina Workplaces to the Moon: Safety, Skilled Trades, and the Artemis II Workforce’ OHS Online.