Portsmouth High School are delighted to announce that Maleha Khan (Class of 2017) won the prestigious GDST Trailblazer of the Year Award this week. Maleha is an aerospace professional who left Portsmouth High School in 2017.
Maleha Khan’s journey from a determined young aviator to a trailblazing aerospace professional is nothing short of inspirational. Starting her flight training at the age of 15, she earned four prestigious flying scholarships from the Royal Air Force, the British Women’s Pilots Association, and the Honourable Company of Air Pilots. Her passion and resilience have taken her to the skies in various aircraft and even a helicopter.
With a background in Aeronautics and Astronautics and a Master’s in Spacecraft Engineering from Southampton University, Maleha’s expertise is both vast and specialised. She went on to teach Rocket Science to the top 1% of academically talented women in Saudi Arabia, where she also had the honour of meeting the first Saudi female astronaut over coffee – a testament to her commitment to empowering women in STEM.
Currently, Maleha works for the UK Space Agency, where she plays a pivotal role in facilitating engagements with NASA, the European Space Agency, UK Space Command, and other major space agencies, as well as working closely with UK Astronauts. Maleha actively promotes diversity and inclusion in the aviation sector, particularly as a Pakistani woman. Her influence extends to inspiring students at Portsmouth High School and beyond, encouraging the next generation to pursue careers in aerospace.
Maleha’s Master’s research focused on building a novel fuel reactor that converts carbon dioxide gas into fuel using amine chemicals, pioneering a method never before used. This groundbreaking work showcases her commitment to sustainability, science, and research, reflecting her multidisciplinary background.
Breaking barriers in male dominated fields, Maleha has held the longest tenure in history as a commander of a Royal Air Force University Air Squadron, responsible for training over 75 personnel. Leadership is at the forefront of her experience and future ambitions, embodying the spirit of a true trailblazer.
‘I never thought I’d be a trailblazer,’ said Maleha. ‘But now it has become an important part of my mission and a recognition like this gives me all the reason to carry on, and more.’
