If you grew up in the late 90s, you probably remember the high stakes of Power Rangers in Space. The stakes were massive. Zordon was missing. The Earth was literally being conquered. Amidst all that galactic chaos, there was Ashley Hammond.
She wasn’t the stoic leader or the brooding loner. Honestly, she was the heart of the team.
Ashley, played by Tracy Lynn Cruz, often gets a bit of an unfair reputation in the fandom. Some people call her a "damsel" or say her character was too focused on her crush on Andros. But if you actually look at the episodes, that’s a pretty shallow take. She was the glue. While T.J. was handling the strategy and Carlos was dealing with his own self-doubt, Ashley was the one keeping the human element alive on a cold metal ship in the middle of the void.
From Cheerleading to the Astro Megaship
Most people forget that Ashley didn't start in space. She was originally the second Yellow Turbo Ranger. She took over for Tanya Sloan back in Power Rangers Turbo.
It was a weird transition. One minute she’s a cheerleader at Angel Grove High who’s into fashion and auto mechanics—yes, she actually knew her way around an engine—and the next, she’s losing her powers because Divatox blew up the Power Chamber.
Think about that for a second.
The Turbo Rangers lost. Hard. They had no powers, no mentor, and no base. Most people would just give up and try to finish high school. Instead, Ashley and the crew hopped on a NASADA shuttle and headed into the deep unknown. That’s not just "cheery optimism." That’s legitimate grit.
When they met Andros, the Red Space Ranger, things changed. He gave them the Astro Morphers. Ashley became the Yellow Space Ranger, piloting the Mega V-4 (the Saucer Zord). She went from pom-poms to photon blasters in the span of a few episodes.
👉 See also: 90 Day Fiancé: What Really Happened to Evelyn Cormier and David Vázquez Zermeño
The Andros Romance: Why it Actually Mattered
Look, we have to talk about the romance. It’s the elephant in the room.
Ashley and Andros are arguably the most iconic couple in the franchise’s history, maybe only second to Tommy and Kimberly. But unlike the Pink and Green duo, the dynamic between the Yellow and Red Space Rangers was built on a massive culture clash.
Andros was a loner from KO-35. He was socially awkward, telekinetic, and had the weight of a dead planet on his shoulders. Ashley was... well, she was a California girl. She taught him how to play billiards. She showed him what it meant to actually live a life instead of just fighting a war.
- The Telekinesis Lessons: Ashley tried to learn telekinesis from him. She failed miserably because she kept getting distracted. It was a human moment in a show that was often about plastic toys and explosions.
- The Birthday Necklace: Andros gave her a necklace from his home planet. It wasn't just a romantic gesture; it was him sharing the last piece of his culture with her.
- The Zhane Conflict: When the Silver Ranger (Zhane) woke up, Andros got incredibly jealous. It was messy. It was relatable. It made them feel like real people rather than just "superheroes."
Some fans argue this sidelined her. I'd argue it grounded the show. In Space is often cited as the best season because it felt like a space opera, and you can’t have an opera without some drama.
The Body Switcher Incident
If you want to see Ashley’s best work, go watch the episode "A Case of Mistaken Identity."
The monster Body Switcher swaps the appearances of Ashley and the villainess Astronema. It’s a classic trope, but Tracy Lynn Cruz had to play Astronema’s cold, calculating personality while Melody Perkins (Astronema) had to play Ashley’s bubbly sweetness.
It was a masterclass in acting for a kids' show. Ashley, trapped in the body of the princess of evil, had to navigate the Dark Fortress and figure out how to warn her friends before "Fake Ashley" sabotaged the Megaship. It showed her cleverness. She didn’t just wait to be rescued; she played the long game.
Combat and the Star Slinger
In combat, Ashley wasn't the heaviest hitter, but she was fast. Her signature weapon was the Star Slinger. It’s basically a high-tech slingshot that fires energy bursts.
It sounds goofy. It actually worked.
She also used the Battle Blade, a wrist-mounted blade that was surprisingly effective in close quarters. During the Lost Galaxy crossover, she held her own against Psycho Yellow—one of the most dangerous villains in the entire franchise.
People love to point out that she was "clumsy" in the civilian scenes. Sure, she tripped over things and made a mess. But when she morphed? She was a professional. She was a survivor of the Psycho Ranger saga, which is basically the "Power Ranger Navy SEALs" training of that era.
Where is Ashley Hammond Now?
Fans always ask what happened to her after the finale "Countdown to Destruction."
The show implies she went back to Earth with Andros. They were together. In the Power Rangers: Once & Always special on Netflix, we find out that several Rangers were captured by Robo-Rita, including Ashley. She was shrunken down to power a time machine.
It was a bit of a "blink and you'll miss it" moment, but it confirmed she’s still an active part of the Ranger network.
Off-screen, Tracy Lynn Cruz has been a massive advocate for the fans. She’s heavily involved in the convention circuit and often talks about her passion for autism awareness. She’s used the platform she gained from being the Yellow Ranger to do some real-world good, which is exactly what a Power Ranger is supposed to do, right?
🔗 Read more: Why Guardians of Ga'Hoole Still Matters to Fantasy Fans
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're looking to revisit the Ashley Hammond era, here is how to do it properly:
- Watch "A Drive to Win": This is her debut in Turbo. It establishes her interest in mechanics and her "never give up" attitude before the space stuff even happens.
- The Psycho Ranger Arc: Specifically watch the episodes where the Rangers have to fight their evil counterparts. Ashley’s rivalry with Psycho Yellow is subtle but intense.
- Check the Comics: Boom! Studios has some incredible Power Rangers comics that expand on the In Space lore. They give more depth to the relationship between the Earth Rangers and the KO-35 survivors.
Ashley wasn't just the "pretty one" or the "love interest." She was the person who reminded the team that they were fighting for a home, not just against a villain. She brought humanity to the vacuum of space. That’s why, even decades later, she’s still one of the most beloved Yellow Rangers to ever wear the suit.