In August 2022, Sara Sabry became the first Arab woman and the first woman from the African continent to go to space.

Sabry is a mechanical engineer and the CEO of the Deep Space Initiative, and was selected for a Blue Origin space mission by Space for Humanity. It’s a program that selects leaders for its missions if they have a potential for global impact.

Being selected was a massive achievement, and Sabry says she feels very honoured to have been part of it. And now that she’s been to space as an astronaut, Sabry is determined to ensure as many people from diverse backgrounds, especially women, are encouraged to enter the space field.

Indeed, Sabry explains that the very first thought she had when she came back down to Earth was that everyone should have then opportunity to experience space. As she says, it belongs to all of us.

“I realised that I now have this obligation to ensure that space, and the space field, is more accessible, and that more people from all backgrounds can experience it,” Sabry shares.

Sabry is now based in the United States, where she is completing her PhD in Aerospace Sciences, but she grew up in Egypt. She said it wasn’t usual for people in Egypt to talk about the space field, and becoming an astronaut often felt like an unrealistic dream.

“No one in Egypt talks about it,” Sabry says. “It’s almost like you’re not allowed to dream about it.”

Sabry is now dedicated to her work at the Deep Space Initiative, a not-for-profit company she founded to increase accessibility and opportunity for people from diverse backgrounds in the space field. There is a specific focus on research and education.

She’s even been awarded the prestigious IAF Emerging Space Leader award for her efforts to improve accessibility in the space sector.

“When we talk about women going to space, the discussion is too often around us being too emotional or not tough enough, or experienced enough,” she says. “But that is completely wrong.”

That’s why, Sabry says, we need as many women to consider working in the space field. After all, you can’t be what you can’t see. She also hopes her own visibility will help other women and people from diverse backgrounds see that it’s possible.

“For women to see other women in the field, doing the same things that men are doing – and maybe even doing them better – it has a really big impact,” she explains.

According to NASA, as of March 2022, just 75 women have ever flown to space from Earth. In contrast, well over 500 men have done so. That’s a significant gender gap that needs to be closed.

“It’s why I have worked so hard day in and day out to make sure that it is more accessible for everyone around the world,” Sabry said. “That’s something that wakes me up in the morning. It’s something that I cannot accept.”

So what’s the biggest lesson Sabry took from her experience as an astronaut?

That everyone can play a role in making the world a better place, and it’s possible to tackle any problem, even the ones we think are too big.

“Looking out of that window and seeing Earth and the darkness of space, I didn’t know that I would feel so connected to the universe,” she says.

“I have a very big sense of responsibility and obligation to do something to help this earth, because it’s the only one we have.”