On August 4, 2022, Sara Sabry ascended to an altitude of 107 kilometers above sea level aboard the Blue Origin NS-22 mission. This flight established her as the first Egyptian, the first African woman, and the first Arab woman to experience space travel, marking a significant milestone in commercial sub-orbital activity.
Academic Foundation
Born in 1993, Sabry completed her early education at the Lycée Français du Caire. She pursued mechanical engineering at The American University in Cairo, graduating in 2016 with additional minors in biology, chemistry, and pre-med. Continuing her technical training, she earned a master's degree in biomedical engineering from the Polytechnic University of Milan in 2020, focusing her thesis on the application of artificial intelligence in robot-assisted surgery.
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Before her orbital experience, Sabry qualified as an astronaut through a program at Florida Tech. In 2021, she served as the crew medical officer during a two-week Moon mission simulation at the LunAres Research Station, earning the title of the first female Egyptian analog astronaut. She currently studies toward a doctoral degree in Aerospace Sciences, while contributing to research regarding spacesuit engineering.
Deep Space Initiative
Sabry founded the Deep Space Initiative, a non-profit organization dedicated to increasing accessibility within the space industry. The group provides educational certifications in subjects such as astronaut health and performance, space architecture, and transportation systems. The initiative specifically targets underrepresented groups to facilitate practical involvement in the field through various programs.
Commercial Flight and Recognition
Selected from 7,000 international applicants for the Space for Humanity Citizen Astronaut Program, Sabry participated in the sixth crewed Blue Origin flight. The NS-22 mission lasted 10 minutes and 20 seconds. Her professional contributions have been recognized with the IAF Emerging Space Leader Award. Additionally, she was named a Karman Project Fellow in 2023 and received the Explorers Club 50 award in 2025.
Fast facts
- Born: 1993
- Citizenship: Egypt
- Spaceflight Date: August 4, 2022
- Mission: Blue Origin NS-22
- Education: Polytechnic University of Milan, The American University in Cairo
- Founder: Deep Space Initiative
Questions readers ask
What was the duration of Sara Sabry's spaceflight?
Her sub-orbital flight on the Blue Origin NS-22 mission lasted 10 minutes and 20 seconds.
What research does she conduct at the University of North Dakota?
She is pursuing a doctorate in Aerospace Sciences and conducts research on spacesuit engineering.
Achievements
- Recorded as engineer and astronaut
