
UAE Marks 25 Years Since Launch of Its First Satellite
The UAE commemorates the 25th anniversary of Thuraya 1, its first satellite and the Middle East’s first telecom satellite. Launched in 2000, the mission catalyzed the UAE’s transformation into a global space leader. Over two decades, the nation has evolved from space technology importer to developer, investing Dh44 billion to build a thriving commercial ecosystem now spanning communications, Earth observation, Mars, lunar, and asteroid missions.