NC State Grad Heads to Moon on Historic Artemis II Mission

Plus, hundreds of thousands of eggs donated for Easter and an owl returns home in Cardinal & Pine's 'Good News Friday'.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 6:41pm

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A vibrant abstract painting featuring sweeping geometric shapes and celestial spirals in soft, earthy tones, conveying the majesty and complexity of space travel.As a North Carolina native embarks on a historic moon mission, a conceptual illustration evokes the awe-inspiring grandeur of space exploration.Jacksonville Today

Astronaut Christina Koch, a graduate of NC State University, is part of the Artemis II mission, which will mark the first trip to the moon since 1972. Meanwhile, North Carolina farms donated over 250,000 eggs to food banks, and firefighters in Asheville helped return an injured owlet to its nest.

Why it matters

Christina Koch's participation in the Artemis II mission represents a historic milestone, as she will become the first woman to travel to the moon. The egg donation and owl rescue stories highlight the generosity and environmental stewardship of North Carolina communities.

The details

Christina Koch, who grew up in Jacksonville, NC and attended the North Carolina School of Science and Math and NC State University, is one of the astronauts on the Artemis II mission that launched from Kennedy Space Center on Wednesday. The mission will mark the first crewed lunar flyby since the Apollo program ended in 1972. Meanwhile, North Carolina farms Simpson's Eggs and Braswell Family Farms donated a combined 259,600 eggs to the Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina, which will distribute them to food pantries, meal programs, and shelters across the region. In Asheville, firefighters assisted the May Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in safely returning a Great-horned owlet to its nest after the baby bird was injured and separated from its family in early March.

  • Artemis II launched from Kennedy Space Center on Wednesday, April 3, 2026.
  • The Artemis II crew, including Christina Koch, will begin their lunar flyby on Monday, April 7, 2026.
  • The egg donation took place on Thursday, April 2, 2026.
  • The owlet was injured and separated from its family in early March 2026.
  • The owlet was reunited with its family on Thursday, March 28, 2026.

The players

Christina Koch

An astronaut and NC State graduate who is part of the Artemis II mission, the first crewed lunar flyby since 1972.

Simpson's Eggs

A Monroe, NC-based egg farm that donated 259,600 eggs to the Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina.

Braswell Family Farms

A Nashville, NC-based egg farm that donated 259,600 eggs to the Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina.

Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina

A food bank that distributed the donated eggs to its network of over 950 partner agencies across 24 counties in North and South Carolina.

Asheville Fire Department

Firefighters who assisted the May Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in returning an injured owlet to its nest.

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What they’re saying

“No one ever discouraged the girl from North Carolina that had a dream to become an astronaut, and I think that was the most important thing.”

— Christina Koch, Astronaut

“We take pride not only in producing food, but also in giving back. Being part of an effort that brings egg farmers together to support communities across the country means a great deal to us.”

— Alex Simpson, Executive Vice President, Simpson's Eggs

What’s next

The Artemis II crew, including Christina Koch, will begin their lunar flyby on Monday, April 7, 2026.

The takeaway

Christina Koch's participation in the Artemis II mission represents a historic milestone for women in space exploration, while the egg donation and owl rescue stories showcase the generosity and environmental stewardship of North Carolina communities.