Ashitey Trebi‑Ollennu, a Ghanaian-born robotics engineer at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), has become one of the leading figures behind the robotic systems exploring Mars today. His work has helped humanity dig into Martian soil, deploy scientific instruments, and uncover clues about the planet’s past, all without a single human setting foot there.

From Accra to the Frontlines of Space Exploration
Trebi‑Ollennu was born in Accra, Ghana, where his fascination with machines began early. Growing up near an airport, he spent hours watching aircraft take off and land, sparking a lifelong passion for engineering and robotics.

He attended:

Garrison Primary School
Ghana Secondary Technical School (GSTS)
His academic journey later took him to the UK, where he earned:

BEng in Avionics – Queen Mary University of London
PhD in Control Systems Engineering – Cranfield University
These foundations prepared him for a career that would eventually shape NASA’s most ambitious missions.

Building Robots for Mars at NASA JPL
Trebi‑Ollennu joined NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in 1999. Over the years, he has become a central figure in designing and leading robotic systems for Mars exploration. His expertise lies in robotic manipulation, autonomous systems, and planetary lander operations.

His major contributions include:
Mars Exploration Rovers (Spirit & Opportunity)
Helped develop robotic systems that enabled the rovers to navigate and study the Martian surface.

Phoenix Mars Lander (2007)
Played a key role in the robotic arm that discovered water ice beneath the Martian soil.

InSight Mars Mission (2018)
Served as Chief Engineer for the Instrument Deployment System, the robotic arm that placed scientific instruments on Mars, including a seismometer that measures “Marsquakes.”

His work allows NASA to perform delicate operations millions of miles away, proving that robotics is the backbone of modern planetary exploration.

Awards and Global Recognition
Trebi‑Ollennu’s groundbreaking achievements have earned him numerous honors, including:

NASA Exceptional Engineering Achievement Medal
Royal Aeronautical Society Silver Award
Sir Monty Finniston Achievement Medal (IET)
Multiple NASA Group Achievement Awards
He is also a Fellow of:

The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET)
The Royal Aeronautical Society
The Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences
These recognitions highlight his status as one of the world’s leading robotics engineers.

Giving Back: Inspiring the Next Generation
Beyond NASA, Trebi‑Ollennu is passionate about empowering young Africans. He founded the Ghana Robotics Academy Foundation (GRAF), which trains students in robotics, coding, and engineering.

GRAF won the Google RISE Award in 2013 and continues to nurture Ghana’s next generation of innovators.

An Afroglobal Legacy Written Among the Stars
Ashitey Trebi‑Ollennu’s journey, from a curious boy in Accra to a NASA engineer building robots for Mars — is a powerful reminder that talent knows no borders. His work is helping humanity understand other worlds, while his outreach is shaping the future of science in Africa.

He stands as a symbol of Afrogobal excellence, African innovation, and global scientific progress.

By Fiona Lewis