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Climbing Into Space

christina koch

Christina Koch looks down at the Earth from the window of the Orion spacecraft.

Apr 9, 2026

Koch Eager For Splashdown

Three-time NC State graduate and Artemis II astronaut Christina Koch and the other three members of the crew are headed back to Earth following NASA’s first return to the moon in more than 50 years. 
Christina Koch and her fellow crew members prepare to board their Orion spacecraft atop NASA’s Space Launch System rocket as part of a demonstration test in 2025.

Apr 1, 2026

See You on the Dark Side of the Moon

Three-time NC State graduate Christina Koch and her three Artemis II crewmates will blast off to the moon as early as Wednesday evening. 
Christina Koch mingles with students during a visit to NC State.

Apr 1, 2026

From the Brickyard to the Moon: Christina Koch Through the Years

Ahead of her moon-bound NASA mission, explore a timeline of Christina Koch's life and career. 
Chancellor Woodson and NASA astronaut Christina Koch sit on stage at Stewart Theatre with a starry background behind them. The image also contains the Red Chair Chats graphic, which says "Red Chair Chats with Chancellor Woodson. Special guest: Christina Koch"

Dec 14, 2023

To the Moon: Chancellor Woodson Talks Artemis II and Chasing Dreams with NASA Astronaut Christina Koch

NASA astronaut and three-time NC State alum Christina Koch joins Chancellor Woodson for the first live episode of Red Chair Chats and previews the Artemis II mission, slated to orbit the moon in fall 2024. 
Chancellor Randy Woodson delivers this "state of NC State" address on Oct. 23, 2023.

Oct 13, 2023

2023 Chancellor’s Fall Address

On Oct. 23, Chancellor Woodson reflected on the last year at NC State, looked to the future — and welcomed an out-of-this-world guest for a live edition of Red Chair Chats. 
The flight crew of Artemis II: Mission specialist Christina Koch, pilot Victor Glover, commander Reid Wiseman and mission specialist Jeremy Hansen.

Apr 4, 2023

‘We’re Headed for the Moon’

Just after Christina Koch learned last month that she had been selected for NASA’s Artemis II project — becoming the first woman to travel around the moon and back as part of a four-member crew — the pioneering NASA astronaut and three-time NC State graduate was told to limit sharing the news to only a few… 
Astronaut Christina Koch gives a press conference

Feb 12, 2020

Climbing Into Space

Of the many things NASA astronaut Christina Koch learned while earning three degrees at NC State, one of the most useful was her first foray onto the rock climbing wall at Carmichael Gymnasium.