Leaky Fuel Threatens Artemis II: NASA's Moon Mission Faces Hydrogen Leaks
NASA's Artemis II faces hydrogen-leak delays as engineers tackle SLS rocket seals and push the lunar window.
Christina Koch News and Analysis
About Christina Koch
Christina Hammock Koch (pronounced "Cook") is an American engineer and NASA astronaut selected in 2013 as part of the 21st astronaut class.[1][3][5] Born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and raised in Jacksonville, North Carolina, she earned Bachelor of Science degrees in electrical engineering and physics, plus a Master of Science in electrical engineering from North Carolina State University.[3][4] Early in her career, Koch participated in NASA's Academy program in 2001, worked as an electrical engineer at Goddard Space Flight Center on instruments for missions like Juno and Van Allen probes, and gained experience in extreme environments, including a winter-over at Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station and research in Alaska and American Samoa.[1][2][5] Koch completed astronaut training in 2015, including T-38 jet piloting, Russian language, robotics, and spacewalk simulations.[1][5] Assigned to her first mission in 2018, she launched on March 14, 2019, aboard a Russian Soyuz to the International Space Station (ISS) as flight engineer for Expeditions 59, 60, and 61.[1][5] Her stay lasted a record 328 consecutive days—the longest single spaceflight by a woman and second-longest by a U.S. astronaut—covering 5,248 Earth orbits and involving over 210 experiments in biology, Earth science, physical sciences, and technology, such as protein crystal growth, 3D bioprinting, and Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer upgrades.[1][2][4] She conducted six spacewalks totaling 42 hours and 15 minutes, including the first all-female spacewalk on October 18, 2019, with Jessica Meir.[1][5] Post-mission, Koch served as Branch Chief of the Assigned Crew Branch in NASA's Astronaut Office and Assistant for Technical Integration for the Johnson Space Center Director.[1] She is currently training as Mission Specialist I for Artemis II, NASA's planned crewed lunar flyby mission, positioning her as a key figure in returning humans to the Moon and advancing Mars exploration goals.[1][3][6] Her achievements continue to inspire STEM fields, particularly for women.[2][6]
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Artemis II SLS Wet Dress Rehearsal Kicks Off NASA's Critical Countdown
NASA kicks off Artemis II wet dress rehearsal for the Space Launch System, loading cryogenic propellants ahead of the crewed lunar flyby.
Artemis 2 Scheduling Tension Shifts SpaceX Crew-12 Timeline
NASA's Artemis 2 tightens the launch window, affecting SpaceX Crew-12 as wet dress rehearsals and lunar alignments shape a February 2026 schedule.
Artemis II Reaches Launch Pad: Historic Rollout Signals Lunar Return
NASA's Artemis II moves to Launch Pad 39B, advancing a crewed lunar mission with four astronauts.
Artemis 2 Astronauts Gear Up for Historic Launch Rehearsal
Artemis 2 crew completes a full dress rehearsal at Kennedy Space Center, edging toward a 2026 lunar mission with Orion and SLS procedures.
