Sara Sabry (born May 23, 1993) is an EgyptianLebanese engineer, astronaut, entrepreneur and the founder and CEO of the non-profit organization Deep Space Initiative. She is best known for becoming the first Egyptian person and the first Arab woman and African woman to travel into space.[1]

Sara Sabry
سارة صبري (Arabic)
Sara Sabry in 2024
BornMay 23, 1993
NationalityEgyptian, Lebanese
CitizenshipEgyptian
EducationMechanical engineering, biomedical engineering, aerospace engineering
Alma materLycee Francais du Caire, American University of Cairo, Politecnico di Milano
Occupation(s)Engineer, astronaut, entrepreneur
TitleCEO of the Deep Space Initiative
StatusActive
Space career
Spaceflight participant
MissionsBlue Origin NS-22

Sabry is an international keynote speaker and can be found sharing her experience in entrepreneurship, space travel, technology, and overcoming personal obstacles.[2]

Education and career edit

Sabry graduated from Lycee Francais du Caire. She earned her bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from the American University in Cairo in 2016, minoring in biology, chemistry and pre-med. She then went on to obtain a master's degree in biomedical engineering from the Polytechnic University of Milan in 2020 where her research focused on the use of AI in Robot-assisted surgery.[3][4]

Sabry is currently working toward a doctoral degree in Aerospace Sciences from the University of North Dakota in the United States, while conducting research on Spacesuit Engineering at their NASA-funded Human spaceflight Lab.[5]

Pre-flight research edit

In 2021, Sabry participated in an Analog Moon mission simulation as the crew Medical Officer, making her the first Female Egyptian Analog Astronaut.[6]

Sabry founded Deep Space Initiative, a non-profit organization aimed at expanding accessibility to space. The organization offers various programs and initiatives to encourage individuals, especially those from underrepresented groups, to enter the space field. The Research Department allows members to gain hands-on experience in the field, and the Education Department offers course certifications related to Astronaut Health & Performance, Space Architecture, and Space Transportation Systems.[7]

Spaceflight edit

In 2022 Sabry was selected from seven thousand international applicants to participate in the Space for Humanity Citizen Astronaut Program, becoming the first Egyptian, Arab woman, and African woman to go into space.[8][9] On August 4, 2022 she flew on Blue Origin NS-22 flight, a suborbital flight that reached an altitude of 107 km (66 miles) above sea level.

Awards edit

Sabry has received the IAF Emerging Space Leader Award,[10] and the STEAM Innovation Award.[citation needed] She has also been featured in various media outlets, including Forbes Middle East, Vogue Arabia, CNN, BBC and Al-Monitor.[citation needed]

References edit

  1. ^ Flynn, Abigail. "Alumna Astronaut Sara Sabry Becomes First Egyptian to Reach Space". American University in Cairo. Retrieved May 13, 2023.
  2. ^ "Sara Sabry Keynote Speaker". Chartwell Speakers. Retrieved May 13, 2023.
  3. ^ "Introducing S4H's Second Citizen Astronaut: Sara Sabry". American University in Cairo. Retrieved May 13, 2023.
  4. ^ "Education". LinkedIn. Retrieved May 13, 2023.
  5. ^ Kurtz, Adam (September 6, 2022). "Where no Egyptian has gone before". University of North Dakota. Retrieved May 13, 2023.
  6. ^ Tabikha, Kamal (May 26, 2022). "Egypt's first female analog astronaut on simulating space exploration". The National News. Retrieved May 13, 2023.
  7. ^ "Deep Space Initiatives, "About Us"". Deep Space Initiatives. Retrieved May 13, 2023.
  8. ^ Faleti, Joshua. "Egypt's Sara Sabry Emerges as SFH's Second Citizen Astronaut". AfricaNews.space. Retrieved May 13, 2023.
  9. ^ Habib, Elf (March 19, 2023). "First Muslim women in space". Nation. Retrieved May 13, 2023.
  10. ^ "The IAF is proud to introduce the 2022 IAF Emerging Space Leaders". International Astronautical Foundation. Retrieved May 13, 2023.