From the Rif to NASA: Moroccan Engineer Rachid Amqrane Helps Power Artemis 2 Moon Mission
Rachid Amqrane, a Moroccan aerospace engineer of the northern Rif origin, has recently gained attention within the U.S. space agency NASA for his behind-the-scenes role in developing the technology that will return humans to the Moon as part of the Artemis 2 mission. This historic mission represents a major step in the American space exploration program, as it will carry astronauts on a full orbit around the Moon before returning to Earth, marking a new chapter in human history and highlighting the achievements of Rif scientists on the global scientific stage.
Born in 1964, likely in the village of “Afsou” in the Nador region, Amqrane comes from a complex family background. He is the son of Colonel Mohamed Amqrane, who was executed on Saturday, January 13, 1973, following his involvement in a failed coup attempt against King Hassan II in 1972. After this tragedy, his widow, Malika Amqrane (born 1939), left Morocco on August 17, 1972 with her two minor children, relocating to a secret location in Germany for security reasons. This difficult early life shaped Rachid’s character and helped inspire his path toward becoming an internationally recognized aerospace engineer.
In an interview with the German newspaper Der Bremer Tageszeitung, Amqrane explained that as a child he dreamed of becoming a pilot like his father, later considered veterinary medicine, before discovering his passion for technology and aerospace engineering. He graduated as an aerospace engineer and began his career in 1997 at Astrium, a subsidiary of the European aerospace and defense group EADS, later becoming Airbus. There, he gained extensive experience in aviation and space systems before joining NASA, where he worked on spacecraft operations, cargo transport, and supporting missions to the International Space Station.
Amqrane has been part of a multinational team contributing to the development of the Artemis 2 spacecraft, one of NASA’s most important modern missions aimed at returning humans to the Moon. The project took four years of continuous work and was recently launched, carrying four astronauts on a ten-day journey orbiting the Moon before returning to Earth. He has received international recognition for his work, including the Förderkreis medal during the 40th annual meeting of the International Astronauts Federation in Dresden, in appreciation of his technical and scientific contributions to major space projects.
Although he works largely behind the scenes, Amqrane’s personal history remains closely tied to the tragedy of his father. The early challenges he faced in childhood became a driving force that pushed him to overcome hardship and transform pain into ambition and achievement. His story reflects how determination and hard work can turn adversity into global success.
Rachid Amqrane stands as a living example of rural talent that has proven its excellence on the international stage. From the Rif region to NASA, he carries his father’s legacy while helping write a new chapter in humanity’s exploration of space, proving that knowledge and perseverance can help shape the future of humanity beyond Earth.
