Rosa Avalos-Warren

Rosa Avalos-Warren has recently become the Near Space Network network director for Robotics and Launch vehicle missions at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. She continues to work in an acting role as a human spaceflight mission manager for the Artemis program. She formerly managed the Communications and Tracking Network integration efforts for space vehicles associated with the International Space Station and Commercial Crew programs. To date, she has led over 25 missions for flights to the International Space Station and worked on SpaceX’s Demo-2, Crew-1, and upcoming Crew-2 missions, as part of the Commercial Crew Program.

Before joining Human Space Flight, Avalos-Warren worked as a project manager in launch and flight operations at NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility where she provided telemetry support as well as range support to Rocket Lab and multiple Air Surveillance-HEOMD (Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate) projects. Prior to working at Wallops, Avalos-Warren worked for NASA’s Johnson Space Center as a contractor supporting the ISS Program as a mechanical and operations engineer in addition to a multitude of other engineering and management roles.

Tell us about the work you are doing and how it relates to the Artemis Missions.

Artemis missions to the moon require a global network of ground stations and relay satellites in order to communicate with Earth. I will be on console throughout the Artemis I mission, assuring NASA’s Near Space Network and support teams across the country are prepared for liftoff through return/splashdown.

As humans return to the moon and look to explore beyond, what are you most excited to learn from the mission?

Artemis I is beginning a new era of lunar exploration. It will open the door for future crewed missions, Artemis II and beyond, to take humans back to the moon, but this time it will be to build a lunar presence. I'm excited to see all the science and development of technology that will be gained with Artemis for the benefit of humanity. In addition, I'm excited to see how the Artemis generation will be inspired by Artemis I and future missions.

What knowledge have you gained from being part of such an expansive, multidisciplinary endeavor?

To be bold, to work hard for the benefit of humanity, and to be prepared to explore the unknown. Artemis I will be traveling farther from the moon than Apollo ever did.

How did Virginia Tech prepare you for your current role?

Virginia Tech has such a rigorous and dynamic aerospace engineering program. All the various classes, design teams, and research shaped me into the professional that I am today.

What do you think your younger self would think about your current work on Artemis?

That all the hard work, dedication, perseverance, and support from family accomplished my dream of working for NASA and ensuring the success of Artemis I.

Want to share your story?

Contact: Jama Green, External Relations Manager