Astronaut Christina Koch trades spacesuit for desk in new role at NASA - USA Today
NASA astronaut Christina Koch, a veteran of the Artemis II mission, is transitioning to a desk role as the agency's acting deputy chief engineer. This move effectively ends her eligibility for future spaceflight missions.
Why it matters
The departure of high-profile astronauts from active flight status impacts the composition of future lunar and deep-space exploration crews.
Hear this story NASA astronaut Christina Koch is taking on a new role as the agency's acting deputy chief engineer. Koch was part of the historic Artemis II mission, becoming the first woman to fly near the moon. Her desk job means she will no longer be eligible for future spaceflight assignments. All four astronauts from the Artemis II crew have now stepped away from active spaceflight roles. NASA astronaut Christina Koch is taking a new role at the agency after making history as the first woman to fly near the moon during the Artemis II mission in April.
Thirteen years after being selected as an astronaut, Koch plans to trade her spacesuit for a desk, NASA announced.
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