Loay Elbasyouni

Loay Elbasyouni is a Palestinian-German-American electrical and computer engineer. He helped design the Mars rover Perseverance and was an electrical and power electronics lead in the team that built the Ingenuity helicopter.

Early life Elbasyouni was born in Germany while his father was studying medicine in that country. in Gaza when he was five years old. He lived through the First Intifada, a period in which the academic year was shortened to as few as eighty days. He attended UNRWA schools during his primary and secondary education. In 1998, he moved to the United States at the age of twenty to continue higher education. He received a master's degree in Electrical engineering from the University of Louisville in 2005.

He collaborated with AeroVironment, a key industry partner in the Ingenuity project, contributing to power electronics and system integration.

Following his work on Ingenuity, Elbasyouni joined Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin where he worked on the electrical systems of all major rocket engines, including the BE-7, BE-3U, BE-4, and BE-3PM. These engines power Blue Origin’s New Shepard and New Glenn launch vehicles, as well as the Blue Moon lunar lander selected for NASA’s Artemis V mission. Elbasyouni holds the position of senior manager of electric engine design. In this role, he is engaged in a wide range of projects, including the development of Blue Moon, a lunar lander designed to transport payloads to the surface of the Moon, and New Glenn, a heavy-lift launch vehicle currently undergoing development. He is involved in rocket engines, managing a large team and overseeing the development of avionics the control module that governs the engine's functions. Elbasyouni works with a team that search for water on the moon He has been a member of the team that sent the Perseverance to Mars in March 2020 and a chief engineer for the design team of the Ingenuity robotic helicopter.

In 2024, he founded AstraQua, Inc robotics and AI company. The company specializes in developing autonomous systems for exploration in extreme environments, such as oceans and space. The company aims to bridge the gap between Earth and space exploration by adapting NASA-inspired technologies for scientific research, climate monitoring, and deep-sea exploration.

Awards Loay Elbasyouni has been recognized with several awards for his contributions to aerospace technology, particularly for his work on NASA’s Mars helicopter team. Here’s a summary of his notable awards:

UN Secretary-General’s Remarks: UN Secretary-General António Guterres acknowledged Elbasyouni’s journey from UNRWA schools to NASA, highlighting his story as an example of the opportunities created and lives changed through dedication and education. UNRWA Commissioner-General’s Praise: Phillipe Lazzarini, the UNRWA Commissioner-General, commended Elbasyouni for his mix of brilliance and bravery, noting his inspirational journey from Gaza to NASA and the impact it has on young refugees and the next generation of scientists

He is a Sr. member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), actively participating in initiatives related to aerospace, AI, and sustainability.

STEM Advocacy and Mentorship Elbasyouni is committed to advancing STEM education and frequently shares his journey to inspire students and young professionals worldwide. He mentors aspiring engineers and promotes innovation through public talks and community engagement. the NYU Abu Dhabi Hackathon for Social Good, and Istanbul Technical University.

He has also spoken at IEEE events and SETA TechTalks on artificial intelligence and space technologies.

He was also featured on the Lexicon podcast by Interesting Engineering, where he discussed his journey and NASA’s Mars Helicopter mission.

Media Coverage Elbasyouni's engineering achievements and personal journey have been featured in international media. The Los Angeles Times profiled his role in NASA’s Mars 2020 Perseverance Rover mission, including the design of the Ingenuity helicopter. BBC, and BBC The Documentary Podcast.

His work has been highlighted by Wired Middle East in a feature on engineers contributing to space exploration, and by Interesting Engineering for his involvement in the Ingenuity Mars Helicopter project.

He was also featured on StoryCorps, sharing his journey, and the Inside Story Podcast from iHeartRadio.

Personal life Elbasyouni lives in Los Angeles, California. He has not returned to Palestine since 2000 due to instability in the region.

As the situation in Gaza worsened, Loay, from his home in Los Angeles, made desperate efforts to secure their evacuation. The couple endured severe shortages of food and water, and constant bombardment, which exacerbated Mohammed's heart condition. Loay coordinated with various organizations and officials, trying multiple avenues to get his parents out safely.

After numerous attempts and a failed initial evacuation that came under fire, Loay succeeded with the assistance of Turkish authorities. His parents were transported in an ambulance convoy to the Rafah border crossing, which was the only viable exit from Gaza at the time. Despite the danger and challenges, they eventually crossed into Egypt and reunited with Loay in Turkey.

Loay compared his success on Mars and inability to help his parent at start "I feel like I’m part of the Wright Brother team, like, who flew the first time on Earth. It’s an incredible feeling to have contributed to making history in space, yet it’s a stark contrast to the inability to help my own family back in Gaza."