North Carolina native Christina Koch's skyrocketing career is on the verge of another milestone.
The three-time North Carolina State University graduate received the North Carolina Award on Thursday night. Touches of North Carolina are all over Koch's career, education and life. She grew up in Jacksonville and attended North Carolina School of Science and Math in Durham. At NC State, she earned Bachelor of Science degrees in electrical engineering and physics and a Master of Science degree in electrical engineering. An Honorary PhD from NC State came later.
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Koch has her sights set on her next mission, Artemis II. The mission will send four astronauts, including Koch, around the moon in the fall of 2025.
Koch spoke with WRAL News' Chris Lovingood on Friday. Below is a rough transcript of the interview.
Q: You just received the North Carolina Award for science last night. This is for people who have contributed greatly to our state and our country. How are you feeling about that?
A: Well, to be honest, I feel really proud. I feel proud as a North Carolinian because a lot of the things that I've learned throughout my career and apply to do what I do, I learned here in North Carolina and I have so much to be grateful for. It's great to be back to receive and awarded to be among the other awardees that were so inspirational.
Q: Tell us a little bit about how NC State prepared you. I know you were just so engrossed with a lot of things that were available to you on campus.
A: NC State prepared me with so many opportunities there. I was able to stay busy and keep my mind engaged. But to be honest with you, one of the ways it prepared me the most was it's where I learned about bravery. I learned about that in North Carolina because of heroes in the civil rights movement, students that were like me so long ago that really stood up for what they knew was right and what they believe in. And I remember, thinking as a student, how brave those people must be and they inspired me.
Q: That bravery that you've managed to forge over time. I have talked with you before about rock climbing and a lot of other things that you kind of get into to be adventurous. Add in the fact that you spent 328 days in space, the longest continuous time by a woman! Tell me what message do you have for other women out there looking to also be adventurous to accomplish big things in the STEM fields.
A: I think my message is to always do the things that might even scare you. The things that intimidate you. The things you think that maybe are beyond your reach. But actually, when you achieve them, you learn the most about yourself and you bring the most back to the world. Secondly, it's actually not necessarily about how far you go, but it's about how deep your impact is and maybe those impacts are going to be right here in North Carolina.
Q: I know that you are set to make another landmark in your career as the first woman to fly in orbit around the moon. Tell us about the Artemis II mission that's upcoming.
A: Artemis II is the first crewed mission of a new campaign bringing humans back to the moon. We're going to go to the moon this time in a sustained and responsible way where we stay to learn all of the amazing things that the moon can teach us, both about ourselves and the formation of our solar system, but also about how we can continue to explore even deeper into going to Mars, asking some of the huge questions of our time. It's a really exciting time. I'm honored to be a part of the Artemis II mission.