The Canadian Encyclopedia — neutral, cited, updated
July 26, 2026Sources cited
Canadianwire.
Canada’s encyclopedia & explainer
Home›Science & Nature›Astronaut›Christina Koch
Science & Nature • Astronaut

Christina Koch

Christina Hammock Koch is an American engineer and NASA astronaut.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Christina Hammock Koch is an American engineer and NASA astronaut. She is known for a record-setting long-duration mission on the International Space Station and for flying on Artemis II, becoming the only woman to travel beyond low Earth orbit and around the Moon.

Early life and education

Christina Koch was born in 1979 and is an American engineer. Biographical sources place her upbringing in North Carolina and identify her as having an engineering background before joining NASA.

NASA career

Koch was selected as a NASA astronaut in 2013. She later flew a long-duration mission to the International Space Station and participated in the first all-female spacewalk.

Artemis II

Koch is assigned to Artemis II, a crewed lunar flyby mission. In 2026, she became the only woman to travel beyond low Earth orbit and to travel around the Moon.

Personal life

Koch is married to Robert Koch, who is also referred to as Bob Koch in some sources. Public sources state that the couple lives in Galveston, Texas, and met in American Samoa while both were working there.

Key facts

  • Koch was selected as a NASA astronaut in 2013.
  • She completed a long-duration mission to the International Space Station in 2019–20.
  • She took part in the first all-female spacewalk.
  • She set the record for the longest spaceflight by a woman.
  • NASA and biographical sources identify her husband as Robert Koch, also called Bob Koch.
🍁
Canadian context

Christina Koch’s work is relevant to Canadian readers through the international Artemis and ISS programmes, which involve cooperation among NASA and other space agencies that include Canadian participation.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Christina Koch’s husband?
Her husband is Robert Koch, who is also called Bob Koch in some sources.
What does Christina Koch’s husband do?
Sources describe Robert Koch as a geospatial engineer.
Where do Christina Koch and her husband live?
Public biographical sources say they live in Galveston, Texas.
How did Christina Koch meet her husband?
Sources say they met at a Halloween party in American Samoa while she was working at a climate research station.
Does Christina Koch have children?
What is Christina Koch known for?
She is known for her NASA astronaut career, including a record-setting spaceflight and the first all-female spacewalk.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christina_Koch
    Supports: Biographical details including full name, spouse Robert Koch, residence in Texas, and mission highlights.
  2. Men's Journal — https://www.mensjournal.com/news/christina-koch-husband-robert-bob-family-married-kids-dog
    Supports: States that Christina Koch is married to Robert/Bob Koch and lives in Texas with him.
  3. The Philadelphia Inquirer — https://www.inquirer.com/flyers/artemis-astronaut-christina-koch-philly-sports-fan-joel-embiid-husband-20260509.html
    Supports: Notes that her husband is Bob Koch and identifies their shared family details and residence.
  4. ABC13 Houston — https://www.abc13.com/post/galveston-resident-who-spent-record-length-in-space-is-home/5909289/
    Supports: Contains reference to Robert Koch as her husband and to the couple living in Galveston.
  5. EBSCO Research Starters — https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/biography/christina-koch-ogchristina-koch
    Supports: Provides biographical summary, including that she married Robert Koch and lived in Texas.
  6. NASA Johnson Space Center — https://x.com/NASA_Johnson/status/1104057005029945345
    Supports: NASA social post referring to Christina Koch and her husband Bob Koch discussing her path to becoming an astronaut.