A living hub for the people of Palestine — those who shaped it, and those who stood with it.

Suggest a profile
Portrait of Loay Elbasyouni

Loay Elbasyouni

Pioneering Mars Helicopter Engineer

Born in
Germany
Read Loay’s storyAsk about Loay

Why Loay is here

Loay Elbasyouni is acclaimed for his significant contributions to NASA's Mars Helicopter project, particularly for his role as an electrical and power electronics lead. His work has been crucial in achieving the historic feat of the first helicopter flight on Mars, symbolizing human ingenuity and perseverance.

Their story

Loay Elbasyouni is a Palestinian-American electrical engineer who played a pivotal role in NASA’s Mars 2020 mission. He was instrumental in the development of the Ingenuity Helicopter, which successfully demonstrated powered, controlled flight on another planet. His journey from Gaza to NASA is a testament to his determination and passion for engineering and space exploration.

In pictures

Milestones

The moments that shaped Loay’s path.

  1. Growing up in Gaza

    Loay built his first antenna as a child using kitchen parts and aluminum foil, demonstrating his early interest in engineering.

  2. Education

    He attended the Speed School of Engineering, University of Louisville, where he earned his Bachelor and Master’s degrees in Electrical Engineering.

  3. Career in Renewable Energy

    Worked in renewable energy technology and electric aircraft design before joining NASA.

  4. Joining NASA’s Mars Project

    Became part of the NASA team at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in 2014, contributing significantly to the Mars Helicopter project.

  5. Ingenuity’s First Flight

    Played a key role in the successful flight of the Ingenuity Helicopter on Mars in 2021.

Legacy

What they built, changed and left behind.

  1. Ingenuity Helicopter Development

    Contributed to the design and implementation of the electrical systems for NASA's Ingenuity Helicopter.

  2. Renewable Energy and Electric Vehicles

    Worked on alternative energy and electric vehicles, gaining valuable experience in electric propulsion systems.

  3. Electrical Systems Expertise

    Responsible for critical electrical systems including motors, controllers, and wiring on the Ingenuity project.

  4. Promoting Science and Engineering

    Serves as an inspiration for young engineers, especially those from challenging backgrounds, to pursue careers in science and technology.

  5. Advancing Aerospace Engineering

    Aims to further contribute to the field of aerospace engineering and renewable energy, planning to establish his own company focusing on clean and alternative energy sources.

Ask about Loay

Curious about something? An AI guide answers from Loay’s profile.

Loay’s guide AI

Answers come from Loay’s profile on this page. It isn’t Loay, and it can make mistakes.

What would you like to know about Loay?

Ask in your own words about Loay’s early life, work, the moments that shaped them, or their legacy. The guide answers only from this profile, so if something isn’t covered, it will tell you.

AI-generated from this profile. Spotted something wrong? Suggest an addition.

Spot a mistake?

We check every correction against sources before we change a profile. Tell us what’s wrong with Loay’s story and, if you can, where you read it. How we check

Keep exploring

More faces from Science & Tech

All 15 in Science & Tech