Biography:
Christina Hammock Koch (/kɑːk/ COOK; born January 29, 1979) is an American engineer and NASA astronaut. She was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan and raised in Jacksonville, North Carolina. Koch’s childhood dream was to become an astronaut, a passion that she pursued throughout her life.
Koch attended the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics in Durham, graduating in 1997. She then enrolled at North Carolina State University in Raleigh, where she earned two Bachelor of Science degrees, one in electrical engineering and one in physics, in 2001. Koch furthered her education at the same university and obtained a Master of Science degree in electrical engineering in 2002.
During her time at the Goddard Space Flight Center, Koch became a graduate of the NASA Academy program in 2001. She worked as an electrical engineer, specializing in space science instrument development and remote scientific field engineering. Koch made significant contributions to scientific instruments on various NASA missions that studied astrophysics and cosmology.
Koch’s dedication to her work extended beyond NASA. She served as Adjunct Faculty at Montgomery College in Maryland, where she led a Physics Laboratory course. In 2004, Koch began working as a Research Associate in the United States Antarctic Program, embarking on a three-and-a-half-year journey traveling through the Arctic and Antarctic regions. Her experience included a winter-over season at the challenging Amundsen–Scott South Pole Station, where she endured temperatures as low as minus 111 degrees Fahrenheit (-79.4 degrees Celsius). Koch also spent a season at Palmer Station. During her time in Antarctica, she served as a member of the Firefighting Teams and Ocean/Glacier Search and Rescue Teams.
Before becoming an astronaut, Koch served as the station chief for American Samoa at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Her diverse experiences and expertise made her a fitting candidate for the prestigious NASA astronaut program.
Koch’s journey to the stars began on March 14, 2019, when she launched to the International Space Station (ISS) as a Flight Engineer on Expedition 59, 60, and 61. She played a vital role in various experiments and operations during her time on the ISS.
On October 18, 2019, Koch made history alongside NASA astronaut Jessica Meir when they conducted the first all-female spacewalk. Their mission was to replace a power control unit located outside of the International Space Station, marking a significant milestone for women in space exploration.
Continuing to push boundaries, Koch achieved another groundbreaking feat on December 28, 2019. She surpassed the record for the longest continuous time spent in space by a woman, previously held by Peggy Whitson. Koch’s impressive 328 days in space broke new ground and opened up possibilities for longer-duration missions in the future.
After her historic mission, Koch returned to Earth on February 6, 2020, having left an indelible mark on the field of space exploration. Her achievements were recognized and celebrated, as she was included in Time’s 100 Most Influential People of 2020.
Looking ahead, Koch has been selected as part of the crew for the Artemis II flight, which aims to orbit the Moon in 2024. Her participation in this ambitious mission underscores her dedication to pushing the boundaries of our understanding of the universe.
Christina Koch’s contributions to science, her trailblazing spacewalk, and her record-breaking time in space have not only inspired future generations to reach for the stars but have also solidified her place in women’s history. Her determination, passion, and expertise continue to shape our exploration of the cosmos.
Awards:
– Included in Time’s 100 Most Influential People of 2020