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We Are NASA: Ryan Turner, Ground Systems Manager

We Are NASA: Ryan Turner, Ground Systems Manager
To celebrate Black History Month, we spotlighted members of the Space Communications and Navigation (SCaN) team! Read more:

What makes your job at NASA exciting or unique?

My career has focused on software and software is ubiquitous, so I have been involved in many different projects. There is a lot of flexibility with software. I’ve worked on projects ranging from real-time displays of sounding rocket trajectories to enterprise messaging software tools for spacecraft operations centers. Recently, I led an intern team that created a website called Space Communications and Navigation (SCaN) Now, which displays real-time Near Earth Network (NEN) and Deep Space Network (DSN) antenna activity. Working with the NEN has given me the opportunity to step outside of the software role. For example, I was the project lead for the acquisition and deployment of the AS3 antenna at the Alaska Satellite Facility, which is now fully operational.

How does your position contribute to NASA’s mission of exploration?

By supporting the NEN and Space Network (SN) communications systems, we are enabling exploration. Our networks provide the vital link between on-orbit spacecraft and the science community, which makes use of the science data collected – cool photos, weather data and astronomical phenomena. Without our networks, the data would be stuck on the spacecraft, useless to scientists on Earth.

What is your favorite thing about working for NASA?

One of the best things about working at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) is the diversity in work opportunities. We are gifted with this large center that houses so many intelligent people doing vastly different work. It is never dull. I have had the opportunity to work on many different projects, which keeps both life and work interesting. Goddard also has so many events and clubs to celebrate its workforce. I have been a member of a few center-wide committees, including the Multicultural Advisory Team and the Celebrate Goddard Day team.

› We Are NASA SCaN Image Gallery