RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) – The state of North Carolina will honor one of its citizens for accomplishments that are truly out of this world. North Carolina State University graduate and NASA astronaut Christina Koch is being recognized with the highest civilian honor awarded by the state. The North Carolina Award is given annually by the state to up to six people who have made significant contributions in the fields of fine art, literature, public service and science. Koch, who set a record for the longest single spaceflight by a woman with a total of 328 days, will be presented with the award from North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper during a ceremony on Thursday. She graduated from the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics in Durham, before earning her bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering and physics from N.C. State in 2001. Koch later acquired her master’s degree in electrical engineering one year later. Since becoming a NASA astronaut in 2013, the Jacksonville native has made history by participating in the first-ever all-female spacewalks. Koch is currently assigned as a mission specialist on the Artemis II mission to the moon. She most recently served as a flight engineer onboard the International Space Station. “To be the person that got to actually fulfill those missions out there was just a dream come true,” Koch said during a fall address at N.C. State in 2023. “Something that I hope allows me to thank the people that came before me – the trailblazers – many of whom I met here at N.C. State or learned of during my time here.” In a 2023 discussion with N.C. State University Chancellor Randy Woodson, Koch explained that despite her accomplishments, it’s always been a team effort from every person working at NASA. “These records and milestones aren’t about any one person,” Koch said “They’re actually about the fact that we collectively realize that when we do this, we have to go for all and by all, and that means representing every single person that’s willing to work hard to achieve exploration of any kind, but especially human space flight.” Koch also strongly expressed that she hopes other people continue to break these records. “I’m happy to say, and I continue to say, I can’t wait for these milestones to become normal, for the records to be broken,” she said. “It’s just exciting to see us continue to push those boundaries.” She and the Artemis II crew are scheduled to launch into space in 2025, becoming the first people to orbit the moon in over 50 years. Koch will also be the first woman to take part in a lunar mission.