Science & Tech · Space · 2 hrs ago
Christina Koch moves to NASA engineering role after Artemis II
NASA astronaut Christina Koch will become the agency’s acting deputy chief engineer on Nov.
1.
The appointment moves her to management status, making her ineligible for future spaceflight assignments.
Koch was one of four astronauts on Artemis II, a 10-day trip around the moon in an Orion capsule.
It was the Artemis program’s first crewed mission and the first human spaceflight beyond low Earth orbit since 1972.
Her crewmates, Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover and Jeremy Hansen, have also moved into roles that do not involve near-term spaceflight.
Koch will help oversee engineering and mission readiness across NASA, drawing on her engineering education and experience.
NASA plans to launch Artemis III in 2027 for a docking test in low Earth orbit, followed, if plans hold, by an Artemis IV moon landing in 2028.
NASA announced that Artemis II astronaut Christina Koch will become the agency’s acting deputy chief engineer.
The appointment takes effect on Nov. 1, 2026.
Koch will move to management astronaut status and will no longer be eligible for future spaceflight assignments.
She will help lead NASA’s engineering community, including technical oversight and mission readiness.
Koch previously worked as an electrical engineer at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center and has completed two spaceflights.
- Who
- Christina Koch, a NASA astronaut and Artemis II mission specialist.
- What
- She will become NASA’s acting deputy chief engineer and move to management astronaut status.
- When
- NASA announced the appointment on Oct. 13, 2026; it takes effect Nov. 1.
- Where
- NASA; the specific location of the role is not stated.
- Why
- NASA said she will help lead its engineering community and support technical oversight, mission readiness and engineering excellence.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
NASA announced that Koch would become acting deputy chief engineer.
Current Deputy Chief Engineer Katherine Van Hooser is due to retire.
Koch’s appointment is due to take effect.
- New role
- Acting deputy chief engineer at NASA
- Appointment effective
- Nov. 1, 2026
- Predecessor
- Katherine Van Hooser, due to retire Oct. 21
- Spaceflight experience
- Two spaceflights, including a 328-day mission to the International Space Station
- Artemis II mission
- A 10-day trip around the moon in an Orion capsule
What people are saying
With this appointment, Koch will transition to management astronaut status and will no longer be eligible for future spaceflight assignments.
In her new role, Koch will help lead NASA's engineering community, supporting technical oversight, mission readiness, and engineering excellence across the agency's programs and projects.