Nora Al Matrooshi became the first Emirati and Arab woman astronaut in 2024, completing the NASA astronaut candidate training program to earn her official certification. Born in 1993 within the Emirate of Sharjah, she represents the United Arab Emirates in global space exploration efforts, having secured her place among the elite group of candidates selected for international flight readiness.
Academic and Early Professional Background
Al Matrooshi pursued a degree in mechanical engineering at the United Arab Emirates University, supplementing her studies with a term at the Vaasa University of Applied Sciences in Finland. Her early professional career focused on industrial infrastructure as a piping engineer for the National Petroleum Construction Company. In this role, she managed technical projects for the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company and Saudi Aramco. Her leadership experience includes serving three years as vice president of the youth council at her firm.
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The Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre facilitated her selection into the second batch of the UAE Astronaut Programme, a process involving over 4,000 applicants. Following her selection, she relocated to the Johnson Space Center in Houston to join the 2021 Astronaut Candidate Class. Her comprehensive training curriculum spanned five technical domains: ISS systems operations, robotics, piloting the T-38 jet, Russian language acquisition, and complex spacewalk simulations at the Neutral Buoyancy Lab. Additional field training included geology studies and survival exercises conducted at Fort Novosel, Alabama.
International Representation
Beyond her engineering and astronautic duties, Al Matrooshi maintained an active profile in global forums. Her background includes participating as a member of the UAE team during the 2011 International Mathematical Olympiad and joining the UAE Youth Ambassadors Programme in South Korea in 2013.
Fast facts
- Born: 1993, Emirate of Sharjah
- Education: United Arab Emirates University
- Primary Employer: Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre
- Professional Membership: American Society of Mechanical Engineers
- Key Certification: NASA Astronaut Group 23
- Previous Employment: Abu Dhabi National Oil Company
- Training Location: Johnson Space Center
Questions readers ask
What is Nora Al Matrooshi's technical background?
She holds a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering and previously worked as a piping engineer on oil and gas projects.
Did Al Matrooshi train for space missions outside of the UAE?
Yes, she completed the NASA astronaut candidate class training at the Johnson Space Center in Houston and survival training at Fort Novosel, Alabama.
Achievements
- Affiliated with Abu Dhabi National Oil Company and Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre
- Educated at United Arab Emirates University
- Worked as astronaut
