Christina Koch

Outside of my family, I was always inspired by true heroic stories of leadership and survival. For example, the story of the Shackleton expedition, when their ship became lodged in the Antarctic ice pack while exploring. ”

I have truly been inspired by the struggle and triumphs of so many women that dare to break new ground in all aspects of society, and those who have pushed the boundaries of human imagination. ”

We work together as a team. And between us and between the crew and our teams on the ground, we don't look at gender, and we don't see it as a barrier. ”

I invented an algorithm for starting micro turbo-molecular vacuum pumps to be used in science instruments on a future Mars rover. ”

When I was at the South Pole, the coldest it got - and I didn’t go outside - was minus 111. That was during the winter, so it’s dark 24 hours a day, and for some of our jobs, we are required to go outside, even in weather like that." ”