Abu Dhabi-based startup Madari Space is set to launch its first mission in Q3 2026, aiming to place a data centre in low-Earth orbit (LEO). The mission, developed in collaboration with the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre and the UN Office for Outer Space Affairs, will serve as a proof of concept to demonstrate the company’s capability to store and process data in space.
Founder and CEO Al Romaithi emphasized that operating from the UAE offers strategic advantages, with strong backing from the national space agency and other government entities accelerating the pathway to commercialization. He also pointed to the environmental benefits of off-planet data storage, noting that terrestrial data centres are among the world’s most energy-intensive facilities, producing more carbon emissions than the aviation industry—an issue compounded by surging AI-driven demand.
By leveraging the unique environment of LEO, Madari Space intends to pioneer sustainable, secure, and scalable data solutions that address the explosion of data generated both on Earth and in orbit. The upcoming mission will allow the company to de-risk its technology and operations before expanding into deeper space and contributing to the emerging cislunar economy between Earth and the Moon.
In its early stages, the company plans to serve Earth observation operators and other space-based enterprises that generate vast volumes of orbital data, positioning itself at the forefront of next-generation space infrastructure.
