One of the four astronauts selected for NASA’s historic Artemis II mission, Christina Koch, once studied at the University of Ghana as an international student.

Koch, who is part of the crew set to orbit the Moon under Artemis II, undertook a study-abroad programme at the University of Ghana nearly three decades ago (1999) while pursuing her undergraduate studies in the United States.

Her time in Ghana formed part of her academic training in engineering and physics, exposing her to a different cultural and educational environment early in her career.

During her record-setting mission aboard the International Space Station in 2019, Koch reflected on her experience in Ghana in a post on X (formerly Twitter), highlighting its lasting impact on her life.

“20 years ago, I was studying abroad at the @UnivofGh. Like spaceflight, it was a positive, life-changing, perspective-deepening experience. Seeing the beauty of Ghana from space reminds me of the amazing people I met there and how, in exploring the world, we learn about ourselves.”

Koch’s inclusion in the four-member Artemis II crew has placed a spotlight on the University of Ghana as a destination for international academic exchange.

Artemis II is designed as a critical test mission with humans on board, aimed at testing Orion's life-support and safety systems, evaluating deep-space navigation and communication systems, and ensuring astronauts can safely travel to and from the Moon.

The mission also sets the stage for Artemis III, which aims to land humans on the lunar surface. Historic milestones are expected, including sending the first woman and the first person of African descent on a lunar mission.