Astronaut Christina Koch Awarded Princess of Asturias Award for Concord

Washington DC. The first female American astronaut to participate in a lunar mission, Christina Koch, will be honored with Spain's prestigious 'Princess of Asturias Award for Concord' for her contributions to the progress of humanity and space exploration.

The award jury stated on Wednesday that Koch's career serves as a source of inspiration for future generations, especially women. According to the jury, Koch's achievements reflect the human capacity to overcome challenges and adversity through hard work, collaboration, and empathy.

The forty-six-year-old Koch was part of the four-member crew of the recently concluded Artemis-2 mission. This mission was the first crewed flight around the Moon in over 50 years.

Koch is also considered a potential candidate for future missions to land on the lunar surface. The Artemis-2 crew also set a new record for human spaceflight, traveling up to 406,771 kilometers from Earth.

Previously, Koch set the record for the longest continuous stay in space by a woman, spending 328 days aboard the International Space Station. She also participated in the first all-female spacewalk with her colleague Jessica Meir.

The 'Concord' award, with a prize of fifty thousand euros, is one of eight prestigious awards annually presented by a foundation established in the name of Princess Leonor, the heir to the Spanish throne. This award honors individuals or organizations that promote human coexistence, unity, and international cooperation.

Previously, the award was presented to Maryse Meurs, José Andrés, and Spanish healthcare workers who provided services during the COVID-19 pandemic.