Emirati pilot turned entrepreneur aims to build data centres in space
A. SREENIVASA REDDY (ABU DHABI)An Emirati technology startup is setting its sights far beyond Earth—quite literally—by unveiling a bold plan to build data centres in space.Madari Space, founded in 2023 by Emirati entrepreneur and former airline captain Shareef Al Romaithi, aims to tackle the climate impact of traditional, energy-hungry data infrastructure by placing data processing and storage facilities in low Earth orbit. The venture signals a pioneering step for the region in blending space exploration with digital sustainability.'Data centres are very energy intensive. They're extremely harmful to the environment. In fact, they emit more carbon than the aviation industry, which is quite alarming,' Al Romaithi told Bloomberg's Joumanna Bercetche during an interview on the 'Horizons: Middle East and Africa' programme.'Going to space and placing data centres there gives us the opportunity to address the exponential growth of data that is being generated, both on Earth as well as in space in a sustainable and secure manner.'Al Romaithi brings an unusual mix of aerospace expertise and academic credentials to the mission. He began his career in 2007 as part of the inaugural batch of Etihad Airways' cadet pilot programme, and later became the airline's first cadet to rise to the rank of captain.His professional and academic trajectory took a unique turn when he participated in a 45-day Mars simulation project inside a NASA habitat in Houston, Texas.Holding a bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering and three master's degrees from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Al Romaithi made history in 2014 by earning a PhD in aviation from the same institution. He was the first Emirati—and only the eighth person globally—to achieve this distinction, according to an Etihad Airways post on its website. Madari Space's mission may sound like science fiction, but Al Romaithi insists the timing is right.'This would not have been possible 15 to 20 years ago, but today with the reduced cost of launch services, the price per kilogram to launch any product or technology into space has reduced dramatically,' he explained.The company sees vast potential in processing data directly in orbit. With the number of satellites rapidly increasing, space is becoming a significant source of raw, unprocessed data—expected to reach 3,500 petabytes by 2035.'This data is all raw, unprocessed that must be downstreamed to terrestrial data centres. By placing data centres in space, we have the ability to store and process this data in space, enabling the data owners to make informed decisions in real time,' Al Romaithi said.Madari is targeting both terrestrial and orbital clients, ranging from governments to corporations managing large datasets.He cited Estonia's use of a secondary data centre in Luxembourg as a model, 'Should anything happen to their data centres in Estonia, they can revert to their data centres in Luxembourg with no loss of sensitive and critical data. So this can be applied to various countries that view security as an issue—we can store their sensitive and critical data in orbit.'The company is already planning its first mission, scheduled for the third quarter of 2026, in collaboration with the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre and the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs.Asked whether the UAE was the right launchpad for such a venture, Al Romaithi responded with confidence.
'Being located in the UAE is quite advantageous for us. We are getting tremendous support from the UAE Space Agency and other stakeholders across the country. This would allow us to advance our technology and reach a maturity level that would allow us to reach commercial operations very soon," he said.
Source: Aletihad - Abu Dhabi
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
UAE Moments
31 minutes ago
- UAE Moments
♑ Capricorn: Daily Horoscope for August 8th, 2025
Capricorn, today the Universe invites you to embrace your inner architect—building stability from the ground up, even when financial clouds gather. Love Horoscope In love, the Moon's opposition to Mercury may stir misunderstandings or make you feel emotionally distant. If your partner seems to speak a different language today, don't retreat into your shell. Instead, share a laugh over a silly misunderstanding or plan a spontaneous dinner. Single Capricorns, be open to quirky conversations—sometimes the most unexpected encounters spark the brightest connections. Let your natural loyalty shine, but don't be afraid to show your softer side. The Universe rewards vulnerability with deeper bonds and delightful surprises. Career Horoscope At work, Mars' trine to Uranus brings a refreshing breeze of innovation. You might feel inspired to reorganize your workspace or propose a bold idea in a meeting. Don't let your inner critic hold you back—today, originality is your ally! If a colleague challenges your methods, see it as an opportunity to learn and grow. Remember, even the most ambitious mountain climber needs a good team. Stay open to collaboration and embrace change with your trademark pragmatism. Your efforts today plant seeds for future successes. Finance Horoscope Financial concerns may surface, but your legendary foresight and organization are your shields. Today is perfect for reviewing your budget or setting new savings goals. If an unexpected expense arises, don't panic—see it as a puzzle to solve rather than a setback. Consider consulting a trusted friend or advisor for a fresh perspective. Remember, abundance flows where attention goes. Celebrate even small financial wins, like finding a forgotten coupon or resisting an impulse buy. Your steady approach ensures lasting security and peace of mind. Health Horoscope Your well-being benefits from a blend of discipline and spontaneity. The cosmic energies encourage you to break from routine—try a new fitness class, experiment with a healthy recipe, or meditate under the open sky. If stress creeps in, channel it into creative outlets like journaling or painting. Remember, laughter is powerful medicine—watch a comedy or share a funny story with friends. By nurturing both body and spirit, you'll find renewed energy and a sense of lightness that carries you through the day.
Al Etihad
3 hours ago
- Al Etihad
Aramex maintains stable revenue in H1 2025 amid plans for transformation
7 Aug 2025 21:14 REDDY (ALETIHAD) Aramex reported stable revenues of Dh3.06 billion for the first half of 2025, marking a slight 1% year-on-year increase, as the company continues to navigate a strategic shift in product mix and evolving logistics flows. For the second quarter, revenue held steady at Dh1.50 billion compared to the same period last pressures on profitability, the company highlighted consistent execution and an adaptive approach to regional demand. Nicolas Sibuet, Acting Group CEO, said, 'Our H1 2025 results reflect consistent execution and a clear alignment with shifting customer needs. While we face margin pressures and a changing product mix, we have taken decisive actions through our Accelerate28 strategy to realign our operations, enhancing our ability to better serve our customers across key markets, and lay the groundwork for sustainable, long-term value creation.'Gross profit for H1 stood at Dh694 million, down 6% year-on-year, with the margin softening to 22.7% from 24.4%. In Q2, gross profit came in at Dh329 million, with a margin of 22%, compared to Dh345 million and a 23.1% margin in the same period of 2024. The company attributed this to higher direct costs and a greater contribution from domestic and logistics segments with thinner margins than international for the half-year was Dh252 million, a 20% decline from last year, while Q2 EBITDA stood at Dh105 million, down from Dh135 million. EBIT totalled Dh77 million in H1 and Dh16 million in Q2, reflecting year-on-year drops of 45% and 66%, respectively. Excluding one-off items related to restructuring and acquisition costs, normalised EBIT for H1 was Dh95 reported a net profit of Dh7.9 million for H1 2025, sharply lower than the Dh49.5 million posted in H1 2024. Q2 posted a net loss of Dh9.3 million, versus a profit of Dh2.9 million last year. However, normalised net profit reached Dh33 million in H1, and Dh5.4 million in Q2, highlighting the underlying operational strength despite transitional company's Accelerate28 programme, introduced in Q1, is underway with more than 300 initiatives aimed at long-term margin improvement. ADQ, the Abu Dhabi-based sovereign investor focused on critical infrastructure and global supply chains, has acquired a 63.16% stake in Aramex, which is listed on the Dubai Financial Market (DFM). Following the market close on Thursday, Aramex had a market capitalisation of Dh4 the time of launching its takeover bid, ADQ acknowledged that Aramex's transformation would be complex and capital-intensive, likely requiring time to materialise and potentially limiting returns for shareholders in the short to medium term. Commenting on the acquisition, Mansour AlMulla, Deputy Group Chief Executive Officer at ADQ, had said, 'As the majority shareholder in Aramex, we plan to leverage our extensive track record of growing local companies into globally competitive market leaders for the benefit of Aramex and all its stakeholders.'
Filipino Times
3 hours ago
- Filipino Times
Manny Villar Joins Bloomberg Billionaires' Top 100 as Sole Filipino
Business tycoon and former senator Manuel 'Manny' Villar Jr. has secured a spot in Bloomberg's prestigious Billionaires Index, placing 99th among the world's 500 wealthiest individuals. Villar is the only Filipino to break into the top 100, with an estimated net worth of $23.1 billion. His wealth increased by $617 million or 2.7% over the past year, largely driven by the continued growth of his property empire. Villar's vast real estate portfolio includes Vista Land & Lifescapes, Vistamalls, AllHome, and AllDay Marts—companies that span residential developments, retail malls, home improvement, and supermarket chains. His success in these sectors has helped elevate him to one of the most influential figures in Philippine business. Meanwhile, fellow Filipino billionaire Enrique Razon Jr., known for his ventures in ports and casinos, ranked 239th on the list with a net worth of $12.3 billion. His wealth saw a significant boost of nearly $3 billion from the previous year, reflecting the ongoing strength of his international logistics and gaming operations. Manny Villar, a former Senate president, is married to ex-senator Cynthia Villar and is the father of current senators Mark and Camille Villar. His presence on the Bloomberg list not only marks personal financial success but also highlights the influence of the Villar family in both business and politics in the Philippines.
