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Mishaal al-Shemimry
Mishaal al-Shemimry, the first Saudi female aerospace engineer, is the Managing Director of the Center for Space Futures, the Vice President of the International Astronautical Federation (IAF), and an advisor at the Saudi Space Agency. Additionally, she is a commercial pilot and an entrepreneur in the peaceful rockets field. Al-Shemimry has won several awards, including the Inspirational Woman Award.
Mishaal al-Shemimry's education
Mishaal al-Shemimry earned a Bachelor of Science in Applied Mathematics degree from the Florida Institute of Technology in 2006, where she also earned a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering. In 2007, she earned a Master of Science in Aerospace Engineering with a thesis entitled "Analysis of a Grooved-Ring Reactor Concept for Nuclear Thermal Propulsion."
Additionally, she obtained several certifications, among which are the following: Certified Commercial Pilot, Certified Advanced Open Water SCUBA Diver, Certified Nitrox SCUBA Diver, and Certified Rescue SCUBA Diver.
Mishaal al-Shemimry's professional life
Mishaal al-Shemimry's professional life began during her undergraduate studies when she founded and managed the Infinity Math Club in 2004. She worked as a Graduate Research Assistant in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at the Florida Institute of Technology from August 2006 to December 2007, where she achieved several accomplishments, including conducting research for the Space Flight Center affiliated with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
From August to December 2007, she was a graduate teaching assistant at the Mechanical and Aerospace Department of the Florida Institute of Technology. From June 2008 to April 2010, she worked as a systems engineer for Raytheon Missile Systems in Arizona.
In 2010, Mishaal al-Shemimry established her company, "Mishaal Aerospace," specializing in rocket designing and manufacturing. In the same year, she established and co-founded the Beauty Box Company. From November 2015 to May 2018, she provided consultancy in rockets and related matters fields in Paris. From August to December 2019, she worked as a professor in the Mechanical and Aerospace Department at the University of Miami in Florida. Since November 2020, Mishaal al-Shemimry has taken on the role of Space Nuclear Power and Propulsion Consultant at the Northrop Grumman Corporation, where she has achieved several accomplishments, among which is devising space nuclear power and propulsion technology applications for national security and commercial missions. She has also been an advisor at the Saudi Space Agency since 2021.
In 2022, Mishaal al-Shemimry, the Kingdom's representative, won the position of vice president at the International Astronautical Federation (IAF) in a voting process, ahead of fourteen candidates from around the world, making her the first Saudi woman to win a leadership position in the organization.
Her extensive practical and professional experience encompasses several fields, which are the following: aerodynamics, rocket and vehicle design, wind tunnel tests, predictive simulation, and rocket stage-separation analysis, with a strong focus on computational tool development.
Mishaal Al-Shemimry's awards and achievements
Mishaal al-Shemimry obtained several awards, among which are the following: the Inspirational Woman Award in 2015, the Scientific Achievement Award in 2018, as well as the Outstanding Junior Award in Aerospace Engineering for two consecutive years during her undergraduate studies, and the Pioneer in Science and Technology Award for 2024. She was also granted the Florida Institute of Technology Scholarship from 2003 to 2005, four scholarships from the Florida Institute of Technology from 2002 to 2005, and four Florida Medallion Scholarships from 2002 to 2005.
Mishaal al-Shemimry built a robot during her high school studies and later designed twenty-two rockets for various purposes. She also developed a series of launch vehicles that aid in launching small satellites into the Low Earth Orbit.
Sources
Saudi Press Agency (SPA).
Saudi Space Agency.
Mishaal al-Shemimry
Mishaal al-Shemimry, the first Saudi female aerospace engineer, is the Managing Director of the Center for Space Futures, the Vice President of the International Astronautical Federation (IAF), and an advisor at the Saudi Space Agency. Additionally, she is a commercial pilot and an entrepreneur...saudipedia.com
View attachment 179714
THE FIRST FEMALE AEROSPACE ENGINEER IN THE GCC
STARTED HER OWN ROCKET COMPANY AT AGE 26
INSPIRATIONAL WOMAN OF THE YEAR 2015
{ARAB WOMAN AWARDS}
AWARDED FOR SCIENTIFIC ACHIEVEMENT BY HRH KING SALMAN BIN ABDULAZIZ AL SAUD, NOVEMBER 2018
Mishaal Ashemimry – Aerospace Engineer and Founder of MISHAAL Aerospace
Mishaal Ashemimry is a Saudi-American Aerospace Engineer, Aerospace Entrepreneur, commercial pilot, speaker and influencer, who was born in the US and spent a few years of her early life in Saudi, where her fascination with space started. More specifically, she was inspired at the age of six while gazing at the stars in the Unayzah desert. To feed her curiosity, she decided to learn how to build rockets that will enable her to explore space and one day take her there.
As the First female aerospace engineer in the GCC, she realized that this title comes with an enormous responsibility to inspire others to join her field as well as other STEM programs. To reach the youth, she used social media platforms such as Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat and YouTube to educate her follower about her field, experiences, and to inspire them to have a dream and perseverance to pursue it. As a result, she became a public figure and speaker at many events in the GCC and globally. Her influence garnered the attention of Macy’s, Pepsico and Dubai TV in campaigns to educate and empower youth.
Ashemimry is a consultant in her field and was a professor at the University of Miami Mechanical and Aerospace Department. Currently, Ashemimry is an International Astronautical Federation Vice President for Diversity Initiatives and a special advisor to the CEO of the Saudi Space Agency with a strong focus on developing Saudi’s role in the global space market. Prior to joining the Saudi Space Agency, Ashemimry was a Space Nuclear Power and Propulsion Consultant for Northrop Grumman in the US. Moreover, she is living her passion everyday by educating and inspiring others through conferences, webinars, and her social media channels. While based in Miami, Florida, she founded MISHAAL Aerospace at age 26, to pursue her ultimate dream of building rockets. Her company’s objective was to design and build their own rockets to launch small satellites (500 kg) or less to Low Earth Orbit. Previously, she worked for Raytheon Missile Systems’ Aerodynamics Department and contributed to twenty-two different rocket programs. Her professional experience and areas of expertise include aerodynamics, wind tunnel testing, vehicle design, predictive simulation and analysis and rocket stage-separation analysis, with a strong focus on computational tool development.
She earned a Master of Science Degree in Aerospace Engineering from Florida Institute of Technology in Melbourne, Florida, and two Bachelor of Science Degrees in Aerospace Engineering and in Applied Mathematics, also from Florida Institute of Technology. Her academic focus included: experimental and analytical aerodynamics, rocket design and nuclear thermal propulsion.
International Astronautical Federation | Paris, France, Remote from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Vice President for Diversity Initiatives
September 2022 - Present
- Cofounded the Inclusion, Diversity & Equity Administrative (IDEA) Committee
- Created a plan to incentivize statistical transparency for IAF Member Organizations
- Developed a plan to engage with IAF member organizations to ensure commitment to IDEA goals
Saudi Space Agency (Formerly the Saudi Space Commission) | Remote from Miami, FL (Sept 2021 – May 2022), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (May 2022 – Present)
Technical Advisor/Consultant
September 2021-Present
- Consulted on developing Saudi’s National Space Strategy
- Created and lead specific space programs and initiatives including Saudi’s Human Space Flight Program
- Developed strategies, roadmaps and budget for these space programs and initiatives
- Advised leadership on national space strategy direction and execution
Northrop Grumman Corporation | Space Systems | Redondo Beach, CA (remote Miami, FL)
Space Nuclear Power and Propulsion Consultant
November 2020 - Present
- Assessed feasibility of space nuclear power and propulsion (NEP and NTP) technologies
- Developed a strategy and roadmap to achieve these space technologies
- Determined development effort and cost required
- Devised space nuclear power and propulsion technology applications for national security and commercial missions
- Proposed a nuclear electric propulsion and power system as a demonstrator using NGC payload for AFRL/USSF
- Analyzed NASA and DOD budgets to highlight key focus areas for capture
- Provided an analysis of scientific missions enabled by different propulsion systems
- Identified potential industry partners to setup teaming or venture agreements with
- Evaluated Chinese and Russian capabilities in Space Nuclear Power and Propulsion as well as overall capabilities
University of Miami | Mechanical and Aerospace Department| Miami, FL
Adjunct Professor
August 2019 - December 2019
- Taught junior and senior level courses, namely MAE 471 Flight Dynamics and MAE 446 Aircraft Design
The Astronauts
Finalist
March 2019 - June 2019
- Participated as a contestant for “The Astronauts” a television production for Dubai TV under Col. Chris Hadfield (Canadian Astronaut)
- Col. Chris Hadfield conducted the show as a real astronaut selection process with 30 challenges and eliminations
- Selected from a large pool to participate and made it to the top three finalists
Military Industries Corporation| Paris, France
Consultant
November 2015 - May 2018
- Called upon for the transition of MIC into a private defense company
- Consult on matters related to rockets/missiles
- Created several initial projects to facilitate transfer of know-how and technology
- Provided a missile systems upgrade roadmap for a specific program
Beauty Box Ltd| Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Co-founder and Partner
October 2010 – Present
- Invested in a cosmetics distribution company with my sisters
- Distribute several exclusive brands including hair products and treatments, enhancers, and beauty supplies
- Offer our brands to end-consumers through more than 1,500 authorized distributors and retailers in Saudi Arabia
MISHAAL AEROSPACE | Miami, FL
President & CEO | Aerospace Engineer
May 2010– November 2020
- Started my own aerospace company
- Developed launch vehicles (rockets) dedicated to the launch of small satellites (<=500kg) to orbit
- Designed, developed and tested our own line of rockets: the M-Rocket Series
- Created and managed multi-million dollar budget for the entire business
- Directed all activities in the company including team selection, engineering, finance and business
- Successfully completing our first static test of the M-SV hybrid rocket propulsion system
- Worked together with potential clients and received several Letters of Intent to launch their satellites
- Put rocket development on hold, until new investors are found
- Provided aerospace consultancy globally
RAYTHEON MISSILE SYSTEMS |
Systems Engineer II
June 2008–April 2010
- Worked on 22 different rocket/missile programs
- Planned, conducted, and analyzed data from wind tunnel tests
- Wrote pre- and post-test reports and statements of work for model vendors and wind tunnels
- Wrote computer programs to read and process wind tunnel data
- Created math models of missile aerodynamic data for autopilot, control, and structural analysis
- Developed aerodynamic models for 3- and 6-degree-of-freedom trajectory simulation
- Created code wrappers and modules to run prediction codes and predict missile performance
- Assessed effects of model-configuration changes on vehicle aerodynamics
- Improved existing computational tools and made them more robust and generic
FLORIDA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY |
Graduate Teaching Assistant to Dr. Chelakara Subramanian
August–December 2007
Fluid Mechanics Laboratory
Experimental Aerodynamics Laboratory
- Studied impinging jets and employed flow-visualization techniques
- Determined major and minor losses in channel bends
- Ran boundary layer experiments in a wind tunnel
- Experimented with a shock tube
- Determined the pressure distribution over a cylinder and evaluated airfoil performance
- Quantified drag by conducting a wake survey
FLORIDA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY |
Graduate Research Assistant to Dr. Daniel Kirk
August 2006–December 2007
- Research conducted for and funded by NASA Marshall Space Flight Center
- Created analytical and idealized models of NERVA-type reactors
- Analyzed a novel grooved-ring reactor concept for nuclear thermal propulsion
- Developed analytical models for that reactor, based on a NASA power-density model
- Optimized reactor design geometry to reduce thermal gradients and improve performance
- Investigated properties of para- and ortho-hydrogen
- Recognized and awarded for Scientific Achievement By HRH King Salman Bin Abdulaziz AL Saud, November 2018
- Inspirational woman of the year 2015 | ARAB WOMAN AWARDS
- Awarded the Outstanding Senior Award in Aerospace Engineering, 2005–2006
- Awarded the Outstanding Junior Award in Aerospace Engineering, 2004–2005
- Awarded Florida Tech grants, 2003–2005
- Awarded four Florida Tech Faculty Scholarships, 2002–2005
- Awarded four Florida Medallion Scholarships, 2002–2005
- Certified in Executive Leadership Development by Stanford University Graduate School of Business
- Certified Commercial Pilot with Instrument and Multi-Engine Ratings
- Certified in General Space Training Elements on the base of Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center
- Certified in Unique Test Flight on board the Laboratory plane IL-76 MDK and trained in conditions of zero-gravity corresponding to conditions of real space flight
- Certified Open Water SCUBA Diver
- Certified Advanced Open Water SCUBA Diver
- Certified Rescue SCUBA Diver
- Certified Nitrox SCUBA Diver
Masters of Science, Aerospace Engineering
Florida Institute of Technology
2006 - 2007
- Research: Analyzed and re-designed a grooved-ring reactor concept for NASA Marshall Space Flight Center.
- Thesis: "Analysis of a Grooved-Ring Reactor Concept for Nuclear Thermal Propulsion". View publication abstract
Bachelor of Science, Aerospace Engineering
Florida Institute of Technology
2002 - 2006
- Awarded the Outstanding Junior Award in Aerospace Engineering, 2004-2005.
- Awarded the Outstanding Senior Award in Aerospace Engineering, 2005-2006.
Bachelor of Science, Applied Mathematics
Florida Institute of Technology
2002 - 2006
- Activities and Societies: President and Founder of Infinity Math Club in 2004.
About — Mishaal Ashemimry | Official Site
www.mishaalashemimry.com
Quite incredible CV.
We need more talented Saudi Arabian expats to return to work for our space agency etc. instead of working in the West. More and more are returning which is good not to mention the much larger number of local talents who never leave.
Amazingly talented woman.
His Excellency Engineer Abdullah Al-Swaha @aalswaha , Chairman of the Board of Directors of Saudi Space Agency meets in Riyadh with Mr. Kam Ghaffarian, Founder and Executive Chairman of Axiom Space @Axiom_Space , to discuss ways to enhance the strategic partnership in the space sector, develop national capabilities, and invest in the space economy.
The first Arab, Muslim and royal to fly in space (1985).
Sultan bin Salman Al Saud - Wikipedia
Second oldest son of King Salman.
