Produced by: Tarun Mishra
Nora Al Matrooshi has fulfilled her childhood dream of space travel by becoming the first Arab woman to graduate from NASA's training program, setting her sights on lunar exploration.
Nora Al Matrooshi recalls a formative elementary school lesson that ignited her passion for space exploration, inspiring her to pursue a career in astronautics and aspire to reach the moon.
With a background in mechanical engineering and experience in the oil industry, Nora Al Matrooshi was selected by the United Arab Emirates Space Agency (UAESA) in 2021 to undergo rigorous training at NASA.
After two years of intensive training, including simulated spacewalks, Nora Al Matrooshi, alongside fellow Emirati Mohammad AlMulla and ten other candidates, emerges as a fully qualified astronaut.
Graduating as part of the group known as "The Flies," Nora Al Matrooshi is now eligible for NASA missions to the International Space Station (ISS), Artemis lunar missions, and potentially Mars expeditions.
Nora Al Matrooshi expresses her desire to advance humanity's exploration of space, particularly emphasizing her aspiration to participate in missions to the moon and beyond, echoing the UAE's commitment to space exploration.
Nora Al Matrooshi navigates the challenge of maintaining her Muslim faith while adhering to NASA's uniform requirements, with engineers crafting a specialized hijab to ensure her hair remains covered during space missions.
Equipped with her customized space suit, Nora Al Matrooshi is prepared to venture into space alongside her fellow astronauts, contributing to humanity's quest for lunar exploration.
Nora Al Matrooshi reflects on her journey as an astronaut, recognizing the contributions of her ancestors and Muslim scholars to the study of space, viewing her achievements as a continuation of their legacy.