Meet the Space Operations Team
Meet some of the team members contributing to NASA's Space Operations Mission Directorate – the directorate maintaining a continuous human presence in space for the benefit of people on Earth. The programs within the directorate are the hub of NASA’s space exploration efforts, enabling Artemis, commercial space, science, and other agency missions through communication, launch services, research capabilities, and crew support.
As a member of the Crew Operations Office, Erin Edwards and her team manage astronaut candidate training schedules, including field medical exercises, land…
For more than 25 years, Mark Elder has helped make human spaceflight safe and possible. As the International Space Station…
Alyssa Yockey supports the International Space Station from NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston as a flight lead at the…
Lydia Rodriguez is an office administrator in the Flight Operations Directorate’s Operations Division and Operations Tools and Procedures Branch at…
Tess Caswell supports the International Space Station from NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston as a capsule communicator, or capcom,…
With over 25 years of experience in human spaceflight programs, Melissa Harris has contributed to numerous programs and projects during…
Since childhood, Derrick Bailey always had an early fascination with aeronautics. Military fighter jet pilots were his childhood heroes, and…
Editor’s note: This interview was conducted in October 2023. As the International Space Station approaches 25 years of continuous human…
Megan Harvey is a utilization flight lead and capsule communicator, or capcom, in the Research Integration Office at NASA’s Johnson…
Christine Braden values new experiences that broaden her perspective; a mindset that has guided her 26-year career at NASA’s Johnson…
As an adventurous individual, Becky Brocato, Ph.D., has a deep curiosity for understanding the conditions of the human body, especially…
Nick Kopp is a Dragon flight lead in the Transportation Integration Office at Johnson Space Center in Houston. He is…
As an Air Force veteran from Spartanburg, South Carolina, Alex Olley now serves as a contract specialist in the International…
For Anum Ashraf, Ph.D., the interconnectedness of NASA’s workforce presents the exciting opportunity to collaborate with a multitude of people…
Chris Wade is a visiting vehicle integration manager for SpaceX vehicles in the International Space Station Transportation Integration Office. He…
With more than 17 years of experience at NASA, Lindsai Bland has been an integral part of the agency, contributing…
Diana Oglesby’s love for NASA began long before she started working for the agency. A native of Decatur, Texas, Oglesby…
In a demanding atmosphere where every detail matters and precision is key, Sasha Ricks plays a crucial role in keeping…
With over 34 years of experience in human spaceflight, Mark Sonoda has witnessed some of NASA’s most pivotal moments, from…
As systems integration team lead for NASA’s Commercial Low Earth Orbit Development Program, Hector Chavez helps build a future where…