Local engineer, Ahmed Awais, has been internationally recognized for his remarkable and expert contributions in mankind’s first-ever attempt at controlled flight on the surface of Mars.
Ahmed Awais, who is an award-winning open-source engineer, contributed code to the software for the Mars 2020 helicopter mission, also known as NASA’s Ingenuity Helicopter. Last month, the helicopter became the first aircraft in history to make a powered, controlled flight on another planet.
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Ahmed Awais announced his achievement last month on Twitter, where he wrote, “My Open Source Contribution to NASA’s Ingenuity Helicopter Made it to Mars”.
OH MY GOD, I’m a #Martian👽
My Open Source Contribution to NASA’s Ingenuity Helicopter Made it to Mars. 🚀
I mean, through open-source, I contributed code to the software of Mars 2020 Helicopter Mission — NASA’s Ingenuity Helicopter.
I blogged about it https://t.co/P2RS7xUpRJ pic.twitter.com/vR4X3T7d6d
— Ahmad Awais (@MrAhmadAwais) April 28, 2021
Unfortunately, Awais has so far not been appreciated by the government officials. However, he has been recognized by the US Embassy in Islamabad.
“Pakistani developers are truly making their mark in the world. #DidYouKnow Ahmad Awais (@MrAhmadAwais), a Pakistani award-winning open-source engineer, contributed code to the software for the Mars 2020 helicopter mission, also known as NASA’s Ingenuity Helicopter?,” read a message on US Embassy Islamabad’s official Twitter account.
Pakistani developers are truly making their mark in the world. #DidYouKnow Ahmad Awais (@MrAhmadAwais), a Pakistani award-winning open-source engineer, contributed code to the software for the Mars 2020 helicopter mission, also known as NASA’s Ingenuity Helicopter? pic.twitter.com/RD3nDUY3Ig
— U.S. Embassy Islamabad (@usembislamabad) May 17, 2021
Ahmad Awais appreciated the post and has thanked the embassy for recognizing his expert contributions to NASA.
“I’m incredibly humbled that my teeny-tiny open-source contribution was part of humankind’s first successful attempt at a powered, controlled flight of an aircraft on another planet,” Ahmad Awais tweeted.
Pakistanis making waves
This is not the first time that Pakistanis have garnered praises in the Information Technology (IT) field.
Back in March, 15-year-old Pakistani app developer Nabeel Haider came up with a solution: an alternative instant messaging app that he claims works even better.
Read more: Pakistan: A sleeping technology giant
Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Syed Amin-ul-Haque, who met and praised the teenager for his dedication, announced that 15-year-old Nabeel Haider would be provided with training at the National Incubation Centre so that the talent possessed by him could be further enhanced.