Cycling, under the leadership of David Lappartient, has been engaged for years in the globalization project but... it can go even further. Indeed, ex-cyclist and multiple-time U.S. champion Christina Birch is preparing to fly into orbit as an astronaut on a NASA mission in 2027.

The story is told by friends at Velo.outsideline.com: the former track cyclist, who has competed multiple times for her national team and holds 11 national titles, will be the pilot of NASA's SpaceX Crew-14 mission to the International Space Station, with launch scheduled for spring 2027.

The Space Agency itself has confirmed that the crew will be led by commander Kayla Barron who will have at her side, along with Birch, Japanese astronaut Makoto Suwa and Russian cosmonaut Arutyun Kiviryan. They will be engaged in scientific investigations and technological experiments necessary for future exploration missions to the Moon and Mars.

In her cycling career, Birch, who is now 39 years old, has won three UCI Track Cycling World Cup events and two gold medals at the Pan American Games in team pursuit and Madison, also winning bronze with the quartet at the Tokyo 2021 Olympics.

Before becoming a star of the velodromes—an activity she took up almost by chance to train for cyclocross races, which are her true passion—Birch dedicated herself to her studies and holds multiple degrees: in mathematics, biochemistry, and molecular biophysics, as well as a doctorate in biological engineering from MIT.

Naturally, two wheels and physical activity continue to be part of her world: she recently participated in the Leadville Trail 100 MTB and ran a marathon.

Photo Bettini and instagram.com/astro_birch/