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Groundbreaking US Astronaut Christina Koch Wins Top Spanish Award • Channels Television

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3 hours ago

June 17, 2026

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US astronaut Christina Koch, the first woman to take part in a lunar mission, was on Wednesday named the winner of a top Spanish prize for having “helped extend the frontiers of humanity”.

The jury of the Princess of Asturias Award for Concord said Koch’s career was an inspiration for future generations, particularly women. It reflects “humanity’s ability to overcome challenges and adversity through hard work, collaboration, and empathy.”

Koch, 47, was part of the four-member crew of the Artemis II mission, which in April flew around the Moon, the first lunar flyby in more than 50 years.

This handout picture by an Artemis II crew member provided by NASA shows Artemis II mission specialist Christina Koch looking back at earth through the window of the Orion spacecraft on April 2, 2026. (Photo by Handout / NASA / AFP)

She is widely viewed as a potential candidate for future lunar-surface missions.

The Artemis II astronauts became the humans to travel furthest away from the Earth, at 406,771 kilometres (252,756 miles).

Koch already held the record for the longest spaceflight by a woman — 328 days — and took part in the first spacewalk performed entirely by women, alongside her colleague Jessica Meir.

This screen grab from NASA’s feed released on April 3, 2026, shows the four Artemis II crew members (L-R) Canadian Space Agency (CSA) astronaut Jeremy Hansen, Artemis II mission specialist, NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Artemis II commander, Christina Koch, Artemis II mission specialist and Victor Glover, Artemis II pilot as they head to orbit the Moon for the first time in more than half a century. Photo by HANDOUT / NASA TV / AFP

The 50,000-euro ($58,000) Concord Award is one of eight prizes, including for the arts, sciences and sports, handed out annually by the foundation named after the heir to the Spanish throne, Princess Leonor.

It honours efforts to improve human coexistence, solidarity, and global cooperation.

Previous winners of the Concord Award include Scottish charity group Mary’s Meals, Spanish chef Jose Andres, and Spain’s health workers during the coronavirus pandemic.