NASA fans swoon over Artemis II astronaut Christina Koch as she shows off her rippling muscles during the moon flyby - as one jokes 'thirst traps from space'
NASA fans have confirmed their latest crush, after new images of Christina Koch emerged online. The astronaut, 47, is part of the Artemis II mission, and just completed a historic flyby around the moon, alongside three male colleagues. As if that wasn't impressive enough, photos of Ms Koch's muscular arms have gone viral on social media.'My new fav pic EVER,' @astrasdoctor wrote on X (formerly Twitter) alongside a snap of the astronaut holding a camera. The incredible photo has already been viewed more than 414,000 times, with dozens of enamoured fans replying to the original poster. 'That woman is my crush!' one fan replied. Another added: 'she's RIPPED.'And one joked: 'Thirst traps from space. What an age we live in.' NASA fans have confirmed their latest crush, after new images of Christina Koch emerged online NASA delighted fans with an additional photo of Ms Koch on Instagram. 'This latest photo from our @NASAArtemis II mission shows @Astro_Christina just after her workout as she prepares for tomorrow's lunar flyby,' the space agency captioned the imageMs Koch is the mission specialist of NASA's Artemis II mission, and is by no means a newbie in space. She has previously worked on the International Space Station (ISS) for almost all of 2019, on Expeditions 59, 60 and 61. 'Look at those arms, OMG,' one fan wrote on X.Another said: 'She doesn't skip arm day.'And one cheekily quipped: 'I have nothing appropriate to say.'Meanwhile, NASA delighted fans with an additional photo of Ms Koch on Instagram. 'This latest photo from our @NASAArtemis II mission shows @Astro_Christina just after her workout as she prepares for tomorrow's lunar flyby,' the space agency captioned the image. Ms Koch's impressive figure comes as no surprise, given the substantial list of interests in her NASA bio. Ms Koch is the mission specialist of NASA's Artemis II mission, and is by no means a newbie in space. She has previously worked on the International Space Station (ISS) for almost all of 2019, on Expeditions 59, 60 and 61'Growing up spending summers on her family's farm in Michigan, she was instilled with a passion for hard work and challenges,' it reads. 'Her hobbies include surfing, rock climbing, community service, running, yoga, backpacking, photography and travel.'Even while she's on board on the Orion spacecraft, Ms Koch will be keeping up her exercise regime. The tiny pod is fitted with a flywheel – a device with a simple cable–based mechanism that supports exercises like rowing and resistive movements like squats and deadlifts.NASA explained: 'Operating much like a yo–yo, the device provides resistance proportional to the force applied, allowing loads up to 400 pounds. 'This capability is especially important in deep space, where astronauts do not have access to the extensive exercise equipment aboard the International Space Station.'Ms Koch isn't the only NASA astronaut whose muscles have captured the attention of space fans during the Artemis II mission.Last week, Victor Glover became an unexpected sex symbol, after being caught on camera taking a space shower. One woman wrote on social media: 'Omg Astronaut Victor Glover is so physically fit. Please let him exercise a lot.'Artemis II: Key facts Launch date: April 1Mission objective: To complete a lunar flyby, passing the 'dark side' of the moon and test systems for a future lunar landing.Total distance to travel: 620,000 miles (one million km)Mission duration: 10 days Estimated total cost: $44billion (£32.5billion)NASA Space Launch System rocket: $23.8billion (£17.6billion)Orion deep–space spacecraft: $20.4billion (£15billion)Crew: Commander Reid WisemanPilot Victor GloverMission Specialist Christina KochMission Specialist Jeremy HansenMission Stages:Launch from Kennedy Space Centre Launch Pad 39BManoeuvre in orbit to raise the perigee using the Cryogenic Propulsion StageBurn to raise apogee using the Cryogenic Propulsion StageDetach from Cryogenic Propulsion Stage and perform translunar injectionFly to the moon over four daysComplete lunar flyby at a maximum altitude of 5,523 miles (8,889 km) above the moon's surfaceReturn to Earth over four daysSeparate the crew module from the European Service Module and the crew module adapterSplashdown in the Pacific Ocean Another posted a muscle emoji, adding: 'One rep for a man, a whole set for mankind.'
