Space42, the UAE-based AI-powered SpaceTech company, has successfully launched its Thuraya 4 (T4) telecommunications satellite into orbit. The satellite was launched aboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, USA, marking a significant milestone in the company’s journey to enhance its geospatial data and connectivity solutions.
Thuraya 4, one of the largest Mobile Satellite Services (MSS) communication satellites ever produced, significantly expands Space42’s capabilities in secure connectivity, geospatial analytics, and non-terrestrial networks (NTN). The satellite will provide expanded coverage across Africa, Europe, Central Asia, and the Middle East, offering enhanced security, faster speeds, and a wider range of services for sectors including defense, government, and enterprise.
The satellite will undergo Electrical Orbit Raising (EOR) over several months to reach its operational geostationary orbit at 44° East, 36,000 km above Earth. This next-generation satellite is part of Space42’s plan to launch more than 15 new products to meet the growing demand for mobile satellite solutions.
Space42’s Chairman, His Excellency Mansoor Al Mansoori, emphasized that the launch reaffirms the UAE’s leadership in the SpaceTech sector, aligning with the UAE’s National Space Strategy 2030. The satellite, built on Airbus’s Eurostar Neo platform, features a 12-meter antenna and advanced onboard processing capabilities, ensuring enhanced flexibility and efficient communications.
This launch is a pivotal step in Space42’s strategic vision, strengthening its position in the global satellite communications industry and marking a new chapter in the company’s commitment to advancing connectivity through innovative satellite solutions.
