Telecoms Abu Dhabi’s Thuraya enters satellite smartphone market Thuraya Mobile Satellite Communications Company, a unit of Abu Dhabi’s Space42, is moving into the smartphone market, hoping to access a global satellite-capable smartphone business that could be worth as much as $15 billion within a decade. Led by the emirate of Abu Dhabi, the UAE federation is investing in its capabilities in space. Combined, […] March 7, 2025
Space Why Gulf demand for satellites is taking off Man has gone there before, but for the Gulf Arab states the space race is only just picking up. Led primarily by the UAE and Saudi Arabia, Middle Eastern countries have spent $25 billion on satellites and other space projects and equipment over the past decade. That number is expected to triple to $75 billion […] February 27, 2025
Manufacturing Bahrain space agency explores satellite manufacturing Bahrain’s National Space Science Agency (NSSA) has signed a memorandum of understanding with a Hong Kong-listed industrial satellite manufacturer to cooperate in satellite manufacturing. In addition, NSSA will work Uspace Technology Group in satellite telemetry, tracking and controlling, and data application activities, according to a statement to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. Uspace plans to […] February 13, 2025
Tech UAE orders airlock module for lunar spacewalks The UAE’s Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) has awarded Thales Alenia Space (TAS) a contract to develop an airlock module for the Gateway, the world’s first space station to orbit the moon. TAS is a joint venture between France’s Thales and Italy’s Leonardo. The value of the contract was not disclosed. The Emirates Airlock […] February 5, 2025
Analysis Tech How the UAE can make its push into space pay off Two years ago, the UAE’s Rashid Rover crashed into the moon’s Atlas crater during an attempted landing, marking an abrupt end to the country’s first mission to the moon’s surface. Now, back on Earth, the UAE is once again seeking to stake its claim as part of an elite club of countries with business to […] January 17, 2025
Tech Oman starts work on first space economic zone Oman has started construction of Zone 88, the Sultanate’s first scientific and economic zone committed to space industries and advanced technologies. The project is being developed at the Special Economic Zone in Duqm and is 25 percent complete, Bahiya Al Shuaibi, founder and CEO of Global Space and Technology Company, told Duqm Economist magazine. The […] January 16, 2025
Tech UAE space company launches earth-monitoring craft Space42, a space technology company that has its headquarters in Abu Dhabi, deployed the second phase of its Foresight satellite constellation on Tuesday as the UAE continues its push to compete with the world’s leaders in the industry. The project is in collaboration with ICEYE, a provider of high-resolution images of the earth’s surface. The […] January 15, 2025
Tech Turkey space race gains pace with Somalia launch facility Turkey is building a rocket-launching facility in Somalia, boosting its ambition to join the global space race. The project is expected to generate jobs and revenue, Bloomberg reported, citing Somalia president Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. “I personally believe that the importance of Somalia hosting a launchpad for Turkish satellites is even more significant than the billions […] December 19, 2024
Telecoms Space42 bags $5bn contract from UAE government Space42, a global space technology company based in Abu Dhabi, has signed an AED18.7 billion ($5.1 billion) contract with the UAE government to provide critical, secure satellite communication services for an additional 17 years beyond 2026 until 2043. Under the contract, the Abu Dhabi-listed company, a subsidiary of UAE company G42, will provide satellite capacity […] December 17, 2024
Tech PIF buys Airbus’ earth observation digital platform A subsidiary of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) is to acquire Airbus Defence and Space’s earth observation digital platform. Riyadh-based Neo Space Group (NSG) was set up in May this year by PIF to lead efforts to develop the space industry in Saudi Arabia. It is to acquire Berlin-headquartered UP42, which was launched by […] December 4, 2024
Aviation Qatar Airways partners with Elon Musk’s Starlink Qatar Airways has operated its first flight with internet provided by Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite internet service. The airline says all of its Boeing 777s will have the service within a year. On-board access to Starlink-enabled internet will be completely free of charge, Qatar Airways said. In a video call with Qatar Airways executives, Elon […] October 23, 2024
Tech UAE and Mitsubishi sign agreement for asteroid belt mission The UAE has signed an agreement with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries to provide services for its 2028 mission to the asteroid belt. The Emirates Mission to the Asteroid Belt – the first multiple-asteroid tour and landing mission to the main belt that lies between Mars and Jupiter – will launch the Mohammed Bin Rashid Explorer spacecraft […] October 11, 2024
Tech Oman to acquire its first national satellite Oman is in the process of acquiring its first national satellite, the head of the country’s space programme has revealed. As part of the sultanate’s national development plan, Vision 2040, it aims to have the information and communication technology sector, which includes space technology, contribute 10 percent to the overall GDP by 2040. “Oman is […] October 7, 2024
Tech New UAE space company to develop 50 satellites per year A $100 million space company, backed by Abu Dhabi-listed International Holding Company, will become the first company in the UAE to develop commercial low earth orbit (LEO) satellites. Orbitworks, a joint venture between Marlan Space and US-headquartered Loft Orbital, will be the Middle East’s first private space infrastructure company. It plans to develop 50 satellites […] August 27, 2024
Tourism ‘Space balloon’ to launch from Saudi Arabia Spain’s Halo Space said this week that Saudi Arabia will be one of the regular launch sites for its commercial near-space balloon project, giving a boost to ambitious Saudi tourism plans. An unmanned test flight will take place in the second half of September from a location in the Al-Aflaj oasis 330km south of Riyadh, […] August 9, 2024
Tech Yahsat H1 profit rises despite revenue dip The UAE satellite provider, Al Yah Satellite Communications Company (Yahsat), said its net profit for the first half of 2024 rose 62 percent year on year despite falling revenue. Net earnings stood at AED269 million ($73 million) during the period, compared with AED166.4 million a year earlier. Revenue fell 3 percent year on year to AED734 […] July 30, 2024
Tourism Near-space balloon flights to start from Abu Dhabi next year European space exploration company Eos-X Space will begin operating balloon flights to the edge of space from Abu Dhabi in the third quarter of 2025, as it aims to gain a bigger stake in the $9 billion space tourism industry. The UAE capital will host the launch facility and spaceport, including a hotel complex on […] July 17, 2024
Opinion Space A GCC spaceport could bring galactic gains It would support the development of the space economy in its multiple dimensions July 4, 2024
Tech Yahsat taps Musk’s SpaceX for next satellite launches The UAE’s satellite provider Al Yah Satellite Communications Company (Yahsat) has chosen Elon Musk’s company SpaceX to launch its next-generation geostationary satellites, Al Yah 4 and Al Yah 5. The two communications satellites are due to be launched into orbit in 2027 and 2028 respectively. Under the deal – part of an AED3.9 billion ($1.1 […] July 1, 2024
Tech Yahsat appoints Airbus to build $1.1bn new satellites Al Yah Satellite Communications Company, known as Yahsat, has appointed a unit of US-headquartered Airbus Group to manufacture its two new geostationary telecommunications satellites. The company initially authorised Airbus Defence and Space to commence activities on the Al Yah 4 (AY4) and Al Yah 5 (AY5) satellite programme in the second quarter of 2023. Airbus will design […] June 10, 2024
Industry PIF launches space unit, despite Saudi funding constraints Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund has launched a space unit to develop off-planet commercial activities, despite challenges the sovereign wealth fund faces funding Saudi Arabia’s giga-projects. The PIF-owned Neo Space Group will invest in satellite navigation and communications, Earth observation and remote sensing. It will also include a venture capital fund to help Saudi startups […] May 28, 2024
Tech Bayanat increases funding for climate disaster R&D Geospatial services provider Bayanat has increased its investment into climate disaster research and development following a strong profit rise in the first quarter of 2024. Abu Dhabi-based Bayanat said gross profit for the first quarter reached AED32 million ($8.7 million), representing a gross margin of 28 percent. Revenues were 12 percent up year on year […] May 15, 2024
