Amal Mazrouei

UAE's first female aerospace engineer pioneering space exploration in the Arab world

Amal Mazrouei made history in 2019 as the first Arab woman to lead a space mission, directing the UAE Space Agency's Hope Probe to Mars. This $200 million mission, launched in 2020 but conceptualized under her leadership in 2016, marked the Arab world's first interplanetary exploration. Her work transformed the UAE from an oil-based economy to a space-focused nation, inspiring over 50,000 STEM students through her Space Education Initiative.

Mazrouei developed the Arab Astronomy Network, connecting 12 Middle Eastern countries in collaborative research. Her team's innovations in radiation shielding technology are now used in NASA's Artemis program. Despite facing cultural barriers, she established the first all-female engineering cohort at Khalifa University, producing 80% female graduates in aerospace fields by 2018. Time Magazine named her one of 2019's Most Influential People for 'launching a new era of Arab scientific ambition.'