How to Achieve the Impossible: Lessons from the First Woman on the Moon

Zainab Aderounmu

April 21, 2026

When I was 12, I had a strong conviction that I wanted to be an astronaut. It was definitely real this time, unlike the three other times I switched my answers when asked ‘What do you want to become when you grow up?’ This time around, I was certain;  I didn’t want to become a doctor, an actress, or a banker. I wanted to become an astronaut. I was obsessed with outer space, the solar system and the Milky Way. I read about it and looked up astronauts, until one day, I outgrew it and realised I preferred literature to the sciences. 

Interestingly, I’ve met many people who also wanted to become astronauts, but eventually switched plans. Only a few people, and fewer women, can boast of wanting to become astronauts and eventually seeing it through to the end. Christina Koch is one of those brave few. The 47-year-old engineer and NASA astronaut recently set the record for the first woman to orbit the moon and travel farthest from Earth on the Artemis II space mission.

How did she sustain that dream?

From a very young age, the firstborn daughter of four wanted to be an astronaut. She was particularly drawn to wide-open spaces meant to be explored, like the Arctic. She would place clipped images of space and Antarctica, and attended at least three space camps as a child. She went on to study Astrophysics and obtained several degrees in Electrical Engineering. She had completed the NASA Space Program in 2001. By 2015, she qualified to join future NASA missions after being selected as one of the Astronaut 21 group. This set the stage for her exploits on several missions, including Artemis II, a mission named after the Greek goddess of the moon. 

One of those remarkable missions where she set a record occurred in 2020. As a rookie astronaut, she spent 328 days in space, the longest single continuous spaceflight by a woman. NASA used this mission to test the effects of long spaceflights on women. In 2023, she was selected as a missions specialist for Artemis II, which launched on April 1st 2026 and returned to Earth on April 10th 2026. 

During this mission, the crew members shared several pictures, and one that particularly stood out featured her profile, looking up at Earth, with her braids hanging out. It particularly reinforced the idea that what was seemingly impossible can become possible only if you believe. She was the girl who always wanted to be an astronaut and never let go of that wild dream. Her story emphasises that life is a script, and one plays out what one has written down. Christina attended several space programmes as a child, and carefully walked the path that led her to this historic moment at the ripe age of 47.

The wholesome part isn’t just that Christina was one of four crew members on that mission, but that many of the people who worked on the mission were also women. Since its inception, NASA has selected only 61 women astronauts out of 370 astronaut candidates. Although NASA recently selected a new class of 10 astronaut candidates, 6 of whom are women, the World Economic Forum predicts that the space gender gap is still 123 years away from full parity. So, if you’re that girl who wants to become an astronaut, or do what currently seems impossible, do not lose sight of that dream. 

“I always say to people, do what scares you, and that means I have to follow my own advice.” Christina Koch  

Zainab ADEROUNMU A. W. is a First Class graduate of English Language and the Overall Best Graduating Student from the Lagos State University, Lagos Nigeria. She’s a professional Master of Ceremonies, known as The Hijabi Compere , a public speaking coach and Communications Professional. She is currently a Youth advisor to the European Union where she doubles as the Spokesperson and Head of Communications & PR for the Youth Sounding Board.