{"id":191875,"date":"2025-03-28T05:44:35","date_gmt":"2025-03-27T19:44:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/?p=841104"},"modified":"2025-03-28T05:44:35","modified_gmt":"2025-03-27T19:44:35","slug":"meet-the-space-ops-team-anum-ashraf","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/?p=191875","title":{"rendered":"Meet the Space Ops Team: Anum Ashraf"},"content":{"rendered":"
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3 min read<\/p>\n

Preparations for Next Moonwalk Simulations Underway (and Underwater)<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

For Anum Ashraf, Ph.D., the interconnectedness of NASA\u2019s workforce presents the exciting opportunity to collaborate with a multitude of people and teams. With more than 11 years at the agency, Ashraf has played a fundamental role in leading efforts that actively bridge these connections and support NASA\u2019s mission. <\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Ashraf serves as the mission commitment lead for NASA\u2019s SCaN (Space Communication and Navigation)<\/a> Program, which is managed through the agency\u2019s Space Operations Mission Directorate<\/a>. SCaN provides communications and navigation services that are essential to the operation of NASA’s spaceflight missions, including enabling the success of more than 100 NASA and non-NASA missions through the Near Space Network and Deep Space Network. Whether she is supporting missions involving astronauts in space or near-Earth missions monitoring the health of our planet, Ashraf ensures that critical data is efficiently transferred between groups. <\/p>\n

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Near Space Network antennas at the White Sands Complex in Las Cruces, New Mexico.<\/div>\n
NASA<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\u201cI am the \u2018front door\u2019 for all missions that are requesting space communication through the SCaN program,\u201d said Ashraf. \u201cMy job is to understand the mission requirements and pair them with the right assets to enable successful back and forth communication throughout their mission life cycle.\u201d <\/p>\n

Prior to her current role, Ashraf served as the principal investigator for the DEMETER <\/a>(DEMonstrating the Emerging Technology for measuring the Earth\u2019s Radiation) project at NASA\u2019s Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia. DEMETER is the next-generation observational platform for measuring Earth\u2019s radiation. Leading a team of engineers and scientists across NASA\u2019s multifaceted organizations, Ashraf helped develop an innovative solution that will allow future researchers to assess important climate trends affecting the planet.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Outside of work, Ashraf finds a creative outlet through hobbies like knitting, cross stitching, and playing piano. She brings her ambitious, passionate, and authentic qualities to caring for her two children, who are also her daily source of inspiration.  <\/p>\n

\u201cInspiration is a two-way street for me; my kids inspire me to be my best, and, in turn, I inspire them,\u201d said Ashraf. \u201cMy kids love telling their friends that we are a NASA family.\u201d <\/p>\n<\/p>\n

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Anum Ashraf, Ph.D., mission commitment lead for NASA’s Space Communications and Navigation Program<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Looking toward the future, Ashraf is excited to see a collaboration between NASA, industry, academia, and international space enthusiasts working together towards a common goal of space exploration. As a devoted and collaborative leader, Ashraf will continue to play an important role in advancing the agency\u2019s missions of space research and exploration. <\/p>\n<\/p>\n

NASA\u2019s Space Operations Mission Directorate maintains a continuous human presence in space for the benefit of people on Earth. The programs within the directorate are the hub of NASA\u2019s space exploration efforts, enabling Artemis, commercial space, science, and other agency missions through communication, launch services, research capabilities, and crew support.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

To learn more about NASA\u2019s Space Operation Mission Directorate, visit:  <\/p>\n

https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/directorates\/space-operations<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

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