Latest news with #Space42
Broadcast Pro
6 days ago
- Business
- Broadcast Pro
Space42 opens MENAs first HAPS manufacturing facility in Abu Dhabi
The new High Altitude Platform Stations (HAPS) facility enables Mira Aerospace to manufacture unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in the country. Mira Aerospace, the High Altitude Platform Stations (HAPS) subsidiary of Space42, the UAE-based AI-powered SpaceTech company, has established MENAs first HAPS manufacturing centre in Abu Dhabi. The new facility will significantly enhance Mira Aerospaces production capabilities, drive advanced R&D, support the commercialisation of HAPS technology, and lay the foundation for long-term, sustainable growth. The state-of-the-art, 4,500-sqm centre will deliver more than 20 HAPS UAVs annually, supporting civil, environmental, and defence applications. The facility marks a strategic milestone in the companys mission to position the UAE at the forefront of sovereign aerospace and space-based connectivity innovation. Contributing to the UAEs National Space Strategy 2030, Space42 is playing a critical role in the nations efforts to build sovereign space technology, manufacturing, and research and development capabilities. Space is a cornerstone of the UAEs technology roadmap, accelerating innovation and strengthening national resilience in advanced industries, and the new HAPS facility is a direct reflection of and commitment to this national priority. Khaled Al Marzooqi, CEO of Mira Aerospace, Space42, said: 'As the global demand for HAPS accelerates, Space42 is making strategic investments to strengthen our leadership in this growing market. The decision to build our new HAPS manufacturing facility in Abu Dhabi reflects our commitment to creating reliable, cost-effective systems with advanced space technology and plays a central role in developing sovereign capabilities that support our long-term business objectives and the UAEs broader economic goals.'
Khaleej Times
23-05-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
Abu Dhabi to manufacture 20 unmanned aerial vehicles in region's first facility
Abu Dhabi opened a new facility, the first-of-its-kind in Mena, which aims to produce more than 20 high-altitude unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The region's first High-Altitude Aerial Platform (HAPS) facility, opened by Mira Aerospace, a subsidiary of Space42, spans 4,500 sqm. The UAVs will support diverse applications spanning the civil, environmental, and defence sectors. 'Global demand for High-Altitude Platform (HAPS) technologies is growing rapidly, and Space42 seeks to consolidate its leadership in this field through carefully considered strategic investments,' said Khaled Al Marzouqi, CEO of Mira Aerospace. The opening of the HAPS facility is part of UAE's drive to build sovereign capabilities in space technology, manufacturing, and research and development, in line with the objectives of the National Space Strategy 2030. Space42 is the first company to demonstrate 5G connectivity from the stratosphere via heavier-than-air platforms. In February 2025, the company signed a cooperation agreement with Maydan X to establish a permanent test centre for high-altitude, long-duration drone flight experiments. In October 2024, the company developed two advanced payloads to support applications in environmental monitoring, disaster management, urban planning, and agriculture.
The National
23-05-2025
- Business
- The National
For a glimpse of the "new space" race, look to the UAE
When it comes to space exploration, there is little doubt that things have changed since the intense competition of the Space Race between the US and the Soviet Union last century. From a time when a single rocket launch could capture the attention of millions, and when superpowers developed their own astronauts, spacecraft and technology in carefully guarded isolation, the world is seeing the emergence of a different model: the so-called New Space Economy (NSE). Characterised by the involvement of entrepreneurs, private tech companies and venture capital – as well as an increasing number of countries, big and small – the NSE is a departure from the time when government-backed space agencies and aerospace contractors dominated. Some of this change is economic, some of it is technical but it is a development that looks set to stay. For a glimpse of how this new paradigm is unfolding, a close look at this week's Make it in the Emirates event in Abu Dhabi reveals how a relative newcomer to the space sector is both embracing and shaping this change. On Wednesday it was announced that an Earth observation satellite manufacturing centre is to be established in the UAE capital. In a collaboration between Abu Dhabi Investment Office and the emirate's Space 42 tech company, the centre will help create a national space workforce with hands-on industrial expertise. The day before, Space42 revealed that is will begin to manufacture prototypes of platforms that will operate thousands of metres above the Earth's surface this year. And on Friday, the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre and US-based Firefly Aerospace signed a strategic agreement to provide payload delivery services for the Rashid 2 Rover, part of the Emirates Lunar Mission scheduled for next year. These are just the latest examples of how UAE businesses and state-backed investors are working in partnership to explore the opportunities presented by the space sector in a 21st-century way. Another is the country's focus on developing worker expertise in components, maintenance and the AI-powered technology needed to operate successful space missions. For example, an academy run by the UAE Space Agency offers graduates in Stem subjects – science, technology, engineering and maths – the chance to sharpen their skills for a career in the space sector. Thriving in the NSE is also about enhancing national priorities – building scientific and technical expertise as part of a profitable sector – while collaborating with other countries and private businesses. Emirati astronauts have trained in Russian and American facilities and in March, Etihad-SAT – the UAE's first Synthetic Aperture Radar satellite – was successfully launched onboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. Amid the long list of positives associated with this approach, including increased economic diversification and the creation of future-proof technologies, there remain issues to be faced. Critiques of the NSE model have raised concerns about the need to update outdated international space treaties and the high entry bar for developing nations. Here too however, the UAE is shaping the change with the Emirates operating as a commercial hub with strong economic links to the global south. Owing to its relative ubiquity, the days when a space flight would have people glued to their TV screens are probably gone, while they become more common place and available online. But as more countries look at the UAE's path for inspiration to take part in the 'new space' race, that sense of achievement and excitement will only grow.
The National
21-05-2025
- Business
- The National
Earth observation satellite manufacturing centre announced for Abu Dhabi
A new dedicated commercial earth observation satellite manufacturing centre will be set up in Abu Dhabi. The project is a collaboration between the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (Adio) and the emirate's Space 42. The plant will also serve to create a national space workforce with hands-on industrial expertise, the Abu Dhabi Media Office reported. The initiative was announced during the Make it in the Emirates 2025 manufacturing conference in Abu Dhabi. The media office also reported that the centre would support the emirate's transformation into a global hub for advanced manufacturing. 'This strategic partnership brings together global capability and national ambition,' said Badr Al Olama, director general of Adio. 'By enabling transformative companies like Space42 to scale breakthrough technologies here in Abu Dhabi, we are delivering on our mandate to accelerate the emirate's economic growth and establish future-ready industries. 'The transformational project demonstrates Abu Dhabi's vision in action, enabling knowledge transfer, advancing critical infrastructure and delivering sustainable economic impact.' The synthetic-aperture radar (SAR) satellites, which are capable of capturing high resolution imagery in all weather and light conditions, are said to be crucial for national security, environmental monitoring and disaster response. Space42 Space Systems will oversee the full manufacturing of the satellites, from system design to launch readiness. 'Bringing commercial satellite manufacturing into the UAE marks a pivotal step in realising Space42's strategy,' said Hasan Al Hosani, chief executive of Banayat Smart Solutions at Space42. 'It enhances our sovereign capability in earth observation and strengthens our position as the preferred partner for premium geospatial data. Abu Dhabi is at the centre of this ambition, providing the environment to test, scale and export space-based capabilities that are sovereign at origin and global in application.' The project, announced on Wednesday afternoon, means that Abu Dhabi will, for the first time assemble, integrate and test commercial SAR satellites. As a result it will place the emirate at the forefront of the global space economy and reinforcing its status as a centre of excellence for space innovation, the media office stated. In March, the UAE's most recent SAR satellite lifted off aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. The Etihad-Sat was equipped with technology capable of monitoring the planet in any weather, day and night The new centre will also play a major role in supporting Abu Dhabi's plan to develop a pipeline of local talent within the sector. Among the initiatives will be academic and industry programmes including internships for Emiratis as well as technical lectures, industry site visits and research collaborations with leading Abu Dhabi universities.
Zawya
21-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Future-Fit Seal credits Space42 for enabling UAE's next-generation geospatial infrastructure
GIQ platform developed by Space42 in partnership with the UAE Space Agency powers national space data capabilities recognized for digital readiness and operational impact Abu Dhabi – GIQ, the geospatial AI platform developed and operated by Space42, is the core digital infrastructure powering the UAE Space Data Center, which was recently awarded the prestigious Future-Fit Seal by the UAE Government Development and the Future Office. Space42, the UAE-based AI-powered SpaceTech company that seamlessly integrates satellite communications, geospatial analytics, and artificial intelligence capabilities with global reach, is a key partner in the Space Data Center initiative, reflecting a shared commitment to building national capabilities in space-based technologies and artificial intelligence. The Future-Fit Seal is awarded to exceptional federal and local government projects that demonstrate readiness to navigate future challenges through bold thinking, proactive execution, and the use of advanced technologies. The Space Data Center was recognized for its role in accelerating digital transformation, reinforcing the UAE's global competitiveness, and enabling resilient, forward-looking infrastructure. His Excellency Salem Butti Al Qubaisi, Director-General of UAE Space Agency, said: 'The Future-Fit Seal award is a qualitative addition to the national space sector's digital transformation journey. This recognition reflects our unwavering commitment to employing artificial intelligence and the latest technologies to serve national priorities.' Al Qubaisi added: 'This milestone is a testament to what we can achieve when we combine national ambition with technical expertise. The accomplishments of the Geo-Spatial Analytics Platform (GIQ) prove that space data can make a real difference in people's lives and enable organisations to make accurate and rapid decisions. This achievement also embodies the potential of effective strategic partnerships, such as the one between the UAE Space Agency Agency and Space42. This partnership seeks to develop a flexible and efficient space infrastructure to combat future challenges and promote the UAE's position as a pioneer in building a sustainable and smart space economy.' GIQ was designed and built by Space42 and now anchors one of the UAE's most strategic platforms. It is central to the company's second strategic pillar: to lead globally in geospatial intelligence platforms and services. The platform accesses data from more than 300 global satellites through integration agreements and hosts approximately 50 internally developed AI models addressing a range of applications. Since 2022, it has supported more than 30 operational use cases across environmental resilience, disaster response, urban planning, and food security. Hasan Al Hosani, CEO of Smart Solutions at Space42, said: 'We are honored to contribute to a national program that has received this recognition. GIQ was built with a clear mission: to turn space data into societal value. Whether it is supporting rapid response to floods or helping governments plan for food and water security, we see our role as enabling institutions to make better decisions, faster.' GIQ enables a range of services within the Space Data Center, including on-demand access to Earth observation data, real-time AI-powered analytics, and a dedicated marketplace for space-based applications. These services support both government and commercial use and allow for seamless integration into decision-making across critical sectors. The Space Data Center enhances the UAE's ability to manage national risks and global crises. Through the Center, the UAE has activated its membership in the International Charter on Space and Major Disasters, becoming the only Arab state participating in this global coordination mechanism. GIQ has enabled critical contributions to international humanitarian and scientific efforts, including support for natural disaster response and precision analysis for environmental protection. As part of the award submission, Space42's infrastructure and capabilities including manufacturing and satellite operations in the Space42 Lab, as well as large-scale data management were presented to demonstrate the national infrastructure supporting the Center's operational mission. This integration of digital and physical systems positions the Space Data Center as a platform for government readiness across civil, commercial, and defense domains. The Future-Fit Seal recognizes projects that are proactive, data-driven, and designed to serve long-term national priorities. The recognition of the Space Data Center reflects the strength of the partnership between the UAE Space Agency and Space42, and reinforces the UAE's leadership in building a resilient, AI-enabled space economy.
