Christina Koch, first woman to travel beyond Earth orbit, wins 2026 Princess of Asturias Concord Award
The NASA astronaut, who orbited the Moon on Artemis II and holds the record for the longest female spaceflight, has been named the laureate of the 2026 Princess of Asturias Award for Concord.
Announcement in Oviedo
The jury, meeting at the Hotel Eurostars de La Reconquista in Oviedo, selected Koch from 36 candidacies representing 16 nationalities. The verdict was read on Wednesday, 17 June, making this the final of eight international awards in the foundation's 46th edition.
A record-setting career
Koch holds the record for the longest single spaceflight by a woman (328 days) and performed the first all-female spacewalk alongside Jessica Meir, lasting more than seven hours. Before Artemis II, she flew on multiple expeditions to the International Space Station between 2019 and 2020.
- Born in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
- Launches on Artemis II as first woman to orbit the Moon.
- Awarded Princess of Asturias Award for Concord 2026.
The Artemis II mission
Alongside Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover and Jeremy Hansen, Koch launched aboard the Orion spacecraft on 1 April 2026. The ten-day mission pushed the crew to 406,778 km from Earth, breaking distance records. On-board cameras streamed the lunar flyby and daily routines to millions worldwide.
A message from the Moon
During her first press conference after returning, Koch described Earth as a lifeboat in the vast darkness. "Planet Earth, you are a crew," she said, a message of unity that resonated while wars continued in Iran and Ukraine.
Planet Earth, you are a crew.
The Concord award
The Princess of Asturias Award for Concord honours the defence of human dignity, peace and solidarity. The foundation cited Koch's contribution to the progress of humanity through her historic missions and her ability to inspire a sense of global togetherness.
