Submitted by Pam Peterson – from Goodgoodgood
NASA astronaut and Artemis II Mission Specialist Christina Koch was honored Wednesday with the Order of the Tar Heel, the highest award bestowed by the North Carolina Commissioner of Labor. Koch, a Jacksonville native and N.C. State University graduate, became the first woman to travel beyond low Earth orbit, and with her crew broke the record for the farthest distance humans have ever traveled in space.
“Her accomplishments with NASA have made history, but her commitment to encouraging students to pursue STEM education may be among her most important contributions,” said Labor Commissioner Luke Farley, at the award ceremony at the historic Labor Building in downtown Raleigh.
The award recognizes Koch’s work with NASA as well as her ongoing advocacy for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education.
Koch said her mission would not have been possible without countless workers, all willing to contribute their unique talents to make the mission a success. A-B Emblem of Weaverville, North Carolina, was among the businesses recognized for producing the Artemis II patch, which was designed by the astronauts. (continue on Page 2)