Sara Sabry has made history as the first Egyptian woman to travel to space, marking a groundbreaking moment not just for Egypt but for the entire Arab world. Her journey aboard Blue Origin’s New Shepard suborbital spacecraft lasted just over ten minutes, but its significance will echo for generations. As the capsule soared above the Kármán line—the recognized boundary of space—Sabry became the second Arab woman and the first Egyptian national ever to make the journey.
An engineer and biomedical researcher by training, Sabry was selected for the mission through a nonprofit initiative aimed at democratizing access to space. Her selection came after a rigorous vetting process that weighed not just scientific aptitude but a commitment to advocacy and education. She has long spoken about her desire to encourage young Arabs, particularly girls, to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. With this flight, she becomes not only a symbol of national pride but also a beacon of possibility.
Born and raised in Cairo, Sabry pursued mechanical engineering at the American University in Cairo before moving abroad for further study in biomedical engineering. Her passion for human spaceflight grew during her academic career, particularly in researching how the human body adapts to extreme conditions. That interest led her to participate in analog astronaut missions and space training programs in preparation for potential off-world expeditions. Still, she could hardly have predicted she would soon become part of spaceflight history.
Her brief but thrilling mission included several minutes of weightlessness and panoramic views of Earth. Upon her return, she spoke emotionally about seeing the planet from above, describing it as a transformative experience. For Sabry, the trip affirmed her belief in the need to protect Earth and promote international collaboration in space science.
Egypt, a country with an ancient legacy of astronomical observation, has never before had one of its citizens reach space. Sabry’s achievement not only breaks gender and national barriers but also arrives at a time when the global space industry is expanding its reach beyond traditional powerhouses. Her success is a signal that a new generation of explorers is emerging from regions that have historically been underrepresented in space exploration.
Sara Sabry’s accomplishment represents more than personal triumph. It is a cultural and scientific milestone that redefines who can be an astronaut and from where they can emerge. As she continues her work in education and advocacy, Sabry remains focused on inspiring others to look up—and believe that space is not just for a chosen few, but for all.
