Christina Bircha former professional cyclist and Arizona native, has taken a surprising turn in her career by joining the astronaut class of the POT in 2021.
Birch was selected from more than 1,000 applicants, shortly after stepping away from her career in the professional cycling.
With degrees in mathematics, biochemistry, and molecular biophysics, and a PhD in biological engineeringhis extensive academic background played a crucial role in his selection.
Birch, 37, mentioned in her profile on the website USA Cycling that his favorite movie was “Interstellar,” the acclaimed science fiction work directed by Christopher Nolan in 2014. “I love realistic space movies… I’m definitely a nerd,” Birch said. This interest in science and space was prophetic, as she was subsequently selected to be part of the elite astronauts.
During the selection process, Birch was more stimulated than intimidated by interviews with active and retired astronauts. “It didn’t feel like an interview at all, it didn’t feel like a test. It was super fun. And it felt like fun and games to me,” she stated to CNN Sport. Since she joined the POThas practiced for spacewalks, learned to fly T-38 training jets, and developed skills necessary to operate the robotic arm of the International Space Station (ISS).
Birchwho left the academy in 2018 to pursue a career in cycling, won 11 national titles and represented USA in several world championships. He applied to join the POT while training to be part of the team for the Tokyo Olympics, which were postponed. Not being selected, she decided to dedicate herself completely to her new ambition of becoming an astronaut.
Christina Birch He began his career in cycling while studying at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (M.I.T.), where he stood out in competitions university students. Later, he focused on cycling cluespecializing in disciplines such as individual pursuithe scratch and the omnium.
During his career he has won several titles national in the United States, establishing herself as one of the most prominent cyclists in the country in the field of track. She has competed in numerous events in the International Cycling Union (ICU), representing the United States in international competitions and obtaining significant results.
In addition to her success on the court, Birch is known for her strong academic background. She has a doctorate in biologywhich has allowed him to combine his sports career with a perspective scientific. This duality has given him a unique and disciplined vision in his approach to cycling, contributing to his success and recognition in the sport.
Since his graduation in March at the Johnson Space Center HoustonBirch has been focused on its first projects, including supporting mission recovery training Artemis II in the Pacific Ocean. The Artemis II mission, now scheduled for September 2025, will send four astronauts on a trip around the moon. “Supporting the crew’s needs during recovery gave me incredible appreciation, even as a rookie,” Birch said.
Despite the apparent differences between cycling and spaceflight, Birch believes the same curiosity and interest has motivated her in both disciplines. “I think there’s something very powerful about being surrounded by a group of people who are deliberately trying not to follow the path most traveled,” Ella Birch explained. “My fascination with the sport was seeing how fast we could go, pushing beyond my physical and mental limits.”
Birch has completed endurance challenges since leaving professional cycling, such as the famous mountain bike race Leadville Trail 100 in Colorado, with a course of 100 miles (160 km) and an elevation gain of 12,000 feet (3,660 m). He also participated in the Houston Marathon last January. She plans to try to break the women’s time record for cycling from north to south of Montana, a distance of approximately 400 miles on gravel roads.
“Cycling, in particular, is very supportive of suffering,” Birch said. “It’s a great means to practice mental toughness… especially if I’m descending a mountain bike trail, six hours in and really tired, making critical riding decisions in response to my surroundings.” Birch compares this to flying in a jet, saying, “It’s the same mental clarity and focus you have to maintain. “I think it’s a great space to practice that.”
Birch is ready for any opportunity that presents itself and approaches her preparation with the same dedication as an athlete. “I’m going to prepare for it the same way I would prepare for a race,” Birch says, “showing up every day and giving 100% to the team. If the timing turns out to be right, that’s great. But I will be ready.”
