{
  "id": 14296980,
  "title": "NASA Names Astronaut Christina Koch Acting Deputy Chief Engineer",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/13/nasa-names-astronaut-christina-koch-acting-deputy-chief-engineer-14296980",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-10-13T20:41:11.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "NASA",
    "slug": "nasa",
    "url": "https://www.nasa.gov/news-release/nasa-names-astronaut-christina-koch-acting-deputy-chief-engineer/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "NASA has named astronaut Christina Koch as the acting deputy chief engineer, effective November 1st, following the retirement of Katherine Van Hooser after 35 years of service. In her new role, Koch, a mission specialist who has spent a total of 328 days in space, will lead NASA's engineering community, ensuring technical oversight, mission readiness, and engineering excellence across the agency's various programs and projects. This appointment marks a transition for Koch, who will no longer be eligible for future spaceflight assignments. NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman praised Koch's expertise and experience, while Amit Kshatriya, NASA's associate administrator and chief engineer, highlighted her leadership skills in guiding the agency through critical milestones and transitions.",
  "summary": "NASA engineer and astronaut Christina Koch will serve as the agency’s acting deputy chief engineer beginning on Sunday, Nov. 1, following the retirement of Katherine Van Hooser, who will conclude more than 35 years of distinguished service to the agency on Wednesday, Oct. 21. In her new role, Koch will help lead NASA’s engineering community, […]",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "NASA Science",
        "title": "NASA Names Astronaut Christina Koch Acting Deputy Chief Engineer",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/13/nasa-names-astronaut-christina-koch-acting-deputy-chief-engineer",
        "published": "2026-10-13T20:41:11.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}