NASA Names Astronaut Christina Koch Acting Deputy Chief Engineer

On October 13, 2026, NASA announced that astronaut Christina Koch will become the agency’s acting deputy chief engineer, effective November 1. She succeeds Katherine Van Hooser, who retires after more than 35 years of service. In her new role, Koch will lead NASA’s engineering community, overseeing technical oversight, mission readiness, and engineering excellence across all programs. The appointment also shifts Koch to management‑astronaut status, making her ineligible for future spaceflight. Koch’s background includes a 328‑day record ISS stay, participation in the first all‑female spacewalks, and a mission specialist role on Artemis II, the first crewed lunar fly‑by in over five decades. Van Hooser’s legacy spans propulsion engineering for the Space Shuttle and the Space Launch System. NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman and Associate Administrator Amit Kshatriya praised Koch’s blend of ground and operational expertise, noting her impact on lunar base development, nuclear power in space, and future Mars missions.