Astronaut Christina Koch awarded Princess of Asturias Award Credit: Christina Koch / X
In April, US astronaut Christina Koch embarked on a ground-breaking space mission as one of the four Artemis II crew members. Now back on Earth, Koch has been awarded Spain’s prestigious Princess of Asturias Award for Concord for having “helped extend the frontiers of humanity”.
The Princess of Asturias Awards are among the most prestigious international honours globally, which aim to recognise “scientific technical, cultural, social and humanitarian work carried out at an international level”.
This year, a total of 36 candidatures from 16 nationalities were put forward for the Award of Concord. After lengthy deliberation, the jury announced Christina Koch as the recipient of the honour.
Christina Koch’s historic Artemis II mission
In her illustrious career, Koch has reached incredible heights. Literally and figuratively. On board the Artemis II, Koch and her crewmates set the record for the greatest distance travelled by humans in space: 406,771 kilometres from Earth.
The Artemis II mission also marked a major milestone in space exploration, returning humans to lunar orbit for the first time in more than 50 years. Koch became the first woman ever to travel to and orbit the Moon.
The jury praised her determination and contribution to advancing humanity’s understanding of space. In its official statement, it highlighted how her achievements, supported by the collective efforts behind Artemis II, have inspired people around the world and reflected the mission’s message of global unity: “Earth, you are one team.”
Record-breaking achievements in space exploration
During her time aboard the International Space Station in 2019 Koch spent 328 consecutive days in space, the longest spaceflight by a woman. She was also a vital part of an important milestone when she performed the first all-female spacewalk with fellow astronaut Jessica Meir, an achievement that helped pave the way for greater representation in human spaceflight.
Her work as an engineer, physicist and astronaut has earned her numerous accolades and international recognition throughout her career. What’s more, she is seen as a potential candidate for future lunar-surface missions, possibly becoming the first woman to reach the moon.
Princess of Asturias Awards ceremony 2026
It is these accomplishments and many more that have earned Christina Koch global recognition. The Princess of Asturias Award for Concord is presented to individuals and organisations whose work promotes human dignity, solidarity, peace and the progress of humanity.
Koch will formally receive the honour at the 2026 Princess of Asturias Awards Ceremony, scheduled to take place on 23 October at the Campoamor Theatre in Oviedo, Spain. Presided over by the Spanish royal family, the ceremony will bring together recipients from all eight award categories. Alongside the distinction itself, award winners receive a diploma, an insignia, a sculpture designed by Joan Miró and a €50,000 cash prize.
