Christina Koch Becomes First Woman to Orbit the Moon

The Artemis II mission marks a historic milestone for women in space exploration.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 1:36pm

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A bold, abstract painting in the style of Hilma af Klint, featuring sweeping geometric arcs, concentric circles, and precise spirals in earthy tones of blue, green, and gold, conceptually representing the complex forces and concepts of space travel and lunar exploration.Christina Koch's historic journey around the moon represents a significant milestone for women in space exploration, pushing the boundaries of human space travel.Jacksonville Today

Christina Koch, one of the four astronauts aboard the Orion spacecraft on the Artemis II mission, has become the first woman to journey into deep space and fly around the moon. The 10-day mission is filled with many other historic firsts, including the first manned mission to the moon in over 50 years and the first time humans have seen the full far side of the moon.

Why it matters

Koch's achievement as the first woman to orbit the moon is a significant milestone for gender equality in the space industry. It builds on her previous records, including the longest single spaceflight by a woman and the first all-female spacewalk, further cementing her status as a trailblazer for women in STEM fields.

The details

During the Artemis II mission, Koch is serving as a mission specialist, assisting with tasks like checking the spacecraft's life support, navigation, and communication systems. The mission has also provided the public with a glimpse into the astronauts' experiences, with NASA sharing photos taken by the crew, including one of Koch peering out of a window with the Earth illuminated behind her.

  • The Artemis II mission is scheduled to splash down off the coast of San Diego early Friday evening.
  • The mission is a 10-day journey, the furthest any human has ever ventured from Earth into space.

The players

Christina Koch

An American astronaut who has become the first woman to journey into deep space and fly around the moon as part of the Artemis II mission. She has previously set the record for the longest single spaceflight by a woman and participated in the first all-female spacewalk.

Artemis II

The second mission in NASA's Artemis program, which aims to return humans to the moon. The Artemis II mission is the first manned mission to the moon in over 50 years.

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What they’re saying

“First braids to leave Earth orbit. (unconfirmed)”

— Christina Koch, Astronaut

“The language of hair that binds all women together ❤️❤️ congrats.”

— Anonymous

What’s next

The Artemis II mission is scheduled to splash down off the coast of San Diego early Friday evening, marking the successful completion of the historic journey.

The takeaway

Christina Koch's achievement as the first woman to orbit the moon is a significant milestone for women in space exploration, building on her previous records and cementing her status as a trailblazer in the field of STEM. The Artemis II mission represents a major step forward in humanity's return to the moon and the continued advancement of space technology.