(CNN) NASA astronaut Christina Koch made history Saturday, setting the record for the longest single spaceflight by a woman.

"It's a wonderful thing for science," she told CNN's Christi Paul from aboard the ISS, about the feat. "We see another aspect of how the human body is affected by microgravity for the long term, and that's really important for our future spaceflight plan going forward to the moon and to Mars."

According to NASA's schedule, Koch will remain on the station until February 2020, falling just shy of the longest single spaceflight by a NASA astronaut: 340 days, set by Scott Kelly. Astronauts normally stay on the station for six months.

Speaking to CNN, Koch also offered a piece of advice to young girls who are pursuing their dreams:

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