Astronaut Barbie: Christina Koch is Making History (Again)

By: Summer Bruce, Staff Writer Edited by: Marissa Wrubleski

“I want to be an astronaut” is the answer many young children give when asked what they want to be when they grow up. Few of these children actually pursue this career, most pivoting toward a more "practical" profession. Christina Koch, however, knew exactly what she wanted by the time she was in kindergarten, and committed her life to getting it. Koch, a NASA astronaut, has spent her career pushing boundaries and surpassing expectations. She is a figurehead of female representation, proving time and time again that women are capable of not only existing in these spaces, but of excelling in them. 

Koch was drawn to this field from an early age. She attended high school at the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics, a school for students who have an early proclivity for STEM. She remained in North Carolina for college, where she attended North Carolina State University. Here, she studied electrical engineering and physics, and following the completion of these degrees she returned to complete a Master’s in electrical engineering. 

After finishing her studies, Koch began working at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) as an electrical engineer. She did most of her work in the Laboratory for High Energy Astrophysics, where she was one of the only women present. She worked in this laboratory for two years, which she left to work as a Research Associate in the United States Antarctic Program. Aside from research participation, she filled her time in Antarctica by working as a member of the Firefighting and Search and Rescue teams. She returned from Antarctica to a position at Johns Hopkins University’s Applied Physics Laboratory, where she remained for several years.

Koch’s success in her field, along with her ability to adapt in substandard environments, made her a strong candidate for many positions. She was recruited to participate in NASA’s astronaut training program in 2013, a position she swiftly accepted. Following her training, Koch went on several missions, including spending time as a flight engineer on the International Space Station (ISS). In 2019, she broke Peggy Whitson’s record for the longest single spaceflight for a woman, spending 328 days aboard the ISS. However, this isn’t the only record Koch broke during her time on the ISS. She also participated in the first ever all–female spacewalk alongside Jessica Meir, where they worked to repair the station’s power systems. 

Koch’s accomplishments and excellent performance led her to be selected for the Artemis II mission, where she broke records yet again. Koch was the first female crewmember on a lunar mission, and the first female to go beyond low earth orbit (LEO). She was accompanied by three other astronauts, two of which are breaking records of their own: Victor Glover is the first Black man to leave LEO, and Jermey Hansen is the first non–American to leave LEO. The four-person crew of Artemis II also happens to be the first group of people to view the entire Orientale Basin with human eyes. This is monumental to science, a promising milestone that leaves scientists hopeful for future advancements. 

It has taken far too long to see representation of female achievement in the field of aerospace. In a survey, Syracuse students were asked to name someone notable for their contribution to space exploration—an astronaut; an engineer; any person who came to mind. Only 5% of students immediately called a female astronaut to mind. Students were then asked to approximate how long ago they thought the first all-female spacewalk was. 70% of students estimated the range as 20-30 years ago. When they were told that it actually didn’t occur until 2019, they were shocked. It is difficult for many to understand why these milestones have been achieved only recently, and why we have not far surpassed them by now. 

Throughout her career, Koch has provided necessary contributions both to research and to society. Her intelligence is vast; her capabilities beyond that of most individuals. She has contributed to major scientific advancements across multiple fields of study, including engineering and biology. Being a woman named at the forefront of innovation highlights her success and accomplishments far beyond the eyes of those interested in astrophysics. Koch’s influence is vital for young girls growing up today. It is so important for children to have role models that represent them; idols they can see themselves in and their futures through. It is difficult to continue to pursue ambitions if you are not shown that they are attainable. 

Fostering kids’ “big” dreams becomes much easier when there are people for them to look up to throughout their lives; people who have actually achieved these dreams. Because of the influence of women like Christina Koch, maybe more little girls who lie awake at night dreaming of the stars will actually grow up to become astronauts. Maybe more little girls will be inspired by Koch’s hard work and determination, and will decide to never give up on that dream, just as Koch didn’t. Maybe more adults will be accepting of women having power in male-dominated industries. The success of women like Koch is not only success for one person, but success for women everywhere. She, alongside her female counterparts, have begun to shift the narrative in a tangible way. Koch has proven that women belong in the headlines of history books, not just in the margins.

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