“Behind these facts and figures are countless individual stories of opportunities created and of lives forever changed. The story of Loay Elbasyouni, who attended UNRWA schools and went on to work for the team at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration of the United States (NASA) that designed the Perseverance rover that landed on Mars.” UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ remarks.
“Loay’s achievements are impressive and a tribute to a mix of brilliance and bravery that he possesses. Leaving Gaza as a youth and not being able to see his family for years did not stop Loay from achieving his dream: he went from Gaza to NASA! What an inspiration to thousands of young people and young refugees. The sky is indeed the limit for the hopes and dreams for this next generation of artists, scientists, and everything in between.” UNRWA Commissioner-General Phillipe Lazzarini at the 156th League of Arab States Council Meeting.
The National Aeronautic Association has bestowed the prestigious Robert J. Collier Trophy on the team behind NASA’s Ingenuity Mars Helicopter, cementing the pioneering rotorcraft’s place in aerospace history just as it is about to embark on its second year of flying in the frigid, extremely thin atmosphere of the Red Planet.
The Howard Hughes Award recognizes exceptional advancements in vertical flight technology achieved in the last 18 months. It encourages progress in disciplines like aerodynamics, dynamics, propulsion, and more within the vertical flight community. Established in 1977 by Hughes Helicopters, it honors Howard Hughes’ aviation legacy.
The Ingenuity team was awarded the prestigious Dr. Robert H. Goddard Memorial Trophy for groundbreaking space achievements. This helicopter, originally designed for a few flights, has defied expectations with 22 successful flights on Mars. It serves as an operational tool, extending its mission through September 2022 to aid in designing future Mars air vehicles.
The Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum presents the Michael Collins Trophy annually to honor Lifetime and Current Achievements. The 2022 awardees include Wally Funk for Lifetime Achievement and the Mars Ingenuity Helicopter Team for Current Achievement. The award ceremony is scheduled for March 24 at the museum’s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia.
The “resilient helicopter” has gained attention, fans, and accolades, including a 2021 Laureate Award from Aviation Week Network, which recognizes “extraordinary achievements in aerospace.”
The mission received the 2021 John L. “Jack” Swigert, Jr., Award for Space Exploration. NASA’s Ingenuity Mars Helicopter team won the 2021 John L. “Jack” Swigert, Jr. Award for Space Exploration from the Space Foundation.
Received PSSF Outstanding Achievement Award for contributions to NASA’s Mars 2020 mission, particularly the Ingenuity Mars helicopter.
