Fatma Al-Mazroui

Pioneering female aerospace engineer leading UAE's Mars mission, breaking barriers in Arab space exploration

Fatma Al-Mazroui (born 1989) is a United Arab Emirates national who made history as the first Emirati female aerospace engineer to lead critical systems engineering for the Hope Probe (Al-Amal) mission to Mars. As Deputy Project Manager for the Emirates Mars Mission (EMM), she played a central role in the 2020 mission that made the UAE the first Arab nation to reach Mars. Her work broke significant cultural and gender barriers in the male-dominated fields of aerospace engineering and space exploration in the Middle East.

Al-Mazroui's career began with a BSc in Mechanical Engineering from the American University of Sharjah (AUS), followed by an MSc in Aerospace Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology. She joined the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) in 2015, where she became system engineering lead for the Hope Probe's telecommunications and power subsystems. Her leadership ensured the spacecraft's successful insertion into Mars orbit on February 9, 2021, marking a milestone for Arab science and technology.

Beyond technical contributions, Al-Mazroui has been a vocal advocate for women in STEM. She frequently speaks at international forums like the International Astronautical Congress, inspiring young Arabs through initiatives like the UAE's 'Year of Tolerance' campaign. Her work exemplifies how cross-cultural collaboration can advance space exploration while promoting gender equality in traditionally restrictive societies. Learn more at EMM official site and MBRSC.