Ashley Kowalski ’07 is the Project Leader for Global Partnerships for The Aerospace Corporation, which provides independent technical and scientific research, development, and advisory services to national-security space programs. There, she interfaces with both U.S. and international civil and commercial industry partners to assist with and provide advice on space systems, acquisitions, and program architecture development.

Ashley has lived abroad, spending a year in Moscow, Russia, working with a Russian satellite manufacturing startup while studying the Russian language. She is also a 2012-2013 Fellow for the Congress Bundestag Youth Exchange for Young Professionals where she spent a year in Germany as a young U.S. Ambassador.

In 2019, Ashley participated in Space Congress as a member of the NASA-sponsored Space Exploration Working Group, which worked to identify areas that international space agencies could work on to ensure a prosperous and sustainable human lunar presence on the Moon.

As a SIRIUS-21 crew member, she participated in an astronaut study in Moscow, Russia in 2021 and 2022. For eight months, Ashley lived in isolation with the other crew members while NASA researchers studied their health, physiology, and interactions to benefit future spaceflight missions. She is currently serving as the crew engineer in another space simulation at the Mars Desert Research Station in Utah.

Ashley earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in mechanical and aerospace engineering from George Washington University in 2011 and 2012.

During her time at Mercy, Ashley was a member of the Dance Troupe, Piano Quartet, and Organization of American States (OAS). She also ran track and field and absolutely loved Field Day! Before entering isolation for SIRIUS-21, Ashley spoke with Mercy students about her journey and inspired them to remain passionate in the pursuit of their dreams. Ashley’s success in her work with NASA and her fearless motivation to one day go to space reflects the tenacity, determination, and kindness that she brings to every conversation, every project, and every encounter.