Year born: 1984
Research Areas: Aerodynamics
"Failure is the seed from which success grows."
Source: Mishaal Ashemimry - About Eng.Mishaal Ashemimry on Youtube
Early Life
Mishaal Ashemimry was born in the US in 1984. She spent a few years of her early life in Saudi. It was here that her interest in space began. At age 6, she felt inspired while gazing at the stars in the Unaizah desert. To feed her curiosity, she decided to learn how to build rockets so she could go to space one day.
Ashemimry has two bachelor's degrees. One is in aerospace engineering, and the other is in applied maths. She has also earned her master's in aerospace engineering. NASA has funded her research.
Career Highlights
Ashemimry is the first female aerospace engineer in the GCC. She realised that with this title, she has a duty to inspire others to join her in this field. To reach young people, she uses social media platforms. On these platforms, she talks about her field and her experiences and tells people that if they have big dreams, they should pursue them. As a result of this, She has become a public figure and speaker at many events.
Now, Mishaal is vice president at the International Astronautical Federation, where she helps bring different people together in the space industry. She also encourages the Saudi Space Agency to help the country grow in space exploration. Before this, she worked in the US as a space consultant for Northrop Grumman. She helped with space power and propulsion. She has also worked on many rocket programs, testing and improving their designs.
Ashemimry started her own company called MISHAAL Aerospace. She started this company when she was only 26 years old. She aims to build rockets that send small satellites into low Earth orbit. She has also worked at Raytheon Missile Systems. Here, she helped to design and test rockets.
Mishaal contributed to 22 different rocket programs with this group. Ashemimry's final goal is to become an astronaut. She got her commercial pilot's license and learned to scuba dive as part of her path to this.
Legacy
Mishaal is the first female aerospace engineer in the GCC. She started her own company at 26. Her company will make a lasting impact on rocket building/science.
The Arab Woman Awards gave her 'Inspirational Woman of the Year' 2015. She was also awarded a scientific award by HRH King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud in 2018.
Other Interests
Ashemimry enjoys flying and aviation. She holds a commercial pilot's license. She loves to use social media to share her journey and passions with the world.