Space42 Launches Thuraya-4 Satellite To Enhance Global Mobile Communications Network

Space42, a UAE-based AI-driven SpaceTech firm, has announced the worldwide launch of its latest mobile communications satellite, Thuraya-4 (T4-NGS). This satellite offers secure and reliable connectivity to over 100 countries in Europe, Africa, Central Asia, and the Middle East. New markets include South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Mozambique, and Zambia.

Thuraya-4 is designed to enhance Space42's mission by merging connectivity with intelligence. It builds on Thuraya’s 25-year legacy and transforms technological infrastructure into a multi-vertical platform. This approach reflects a disciplined strategy for growth. The satellite carries a 15-year government contract worth USD 708 million and serves as the driving force behind Space42’s mobile satellite services business.

The Thuraya-4 operates on the L-band spectrum, ensuring uninterrupted performance in challenging environments on land, sea, and air. It provides reliable communication for ships in the Mediterranean, remote energy operations in Africa, and aviation networks. This enables real-time data transfer and mission-critical coordination where terrestrial networks are unavailable.

Built on the Airbus Eurostar Neo platform and launched in January 2025, Thuraya-4 is among the largest advanced mobile communications satellites in orbit. Its 12-meter reflector antenna, onboard processing capabilities, and software-defined architecture deliver speeds exceeding 1 Mbps. This allows for in-orbit reconfiguration through remote software updates.

The satellite's architecture supports IoT and Direct-to-Device connectivity. This enables smartphones and sensors to connect without specialized terminals. A suite of 16 new Thuraya-4 products includes IP NEO M/C for broadband mobility (Comms on the Pause – COTP) and Commander NEO for secure field operations.

Additional products include Voyager NEO for broadband mobility (Comms on the Move – COTM), Orion NEO for offshore operations, and T320, T420, and T220 terminals for fixed-wing, rotary, and UAV-type aircraft. The Mobile Gateway M/C NEO provides instant communications anywhere with support from the IP Handset for compact mobility.

Expanding Ecosystem

The activation of Thuraya-4 follows other milestones in Space42’s expanding ecosystem. These include launching three SAR satellites within its Foresight Earth Observation Constellation. Additionally, its geospatial intelligence platform GIQ is now available on Microsoft Azure.

Space42 has also expanded its satellite manufacturing capacity within the UAE. These developments highlight Space42's commitment to advancing its technological capabilities while broadening market reach.

"Thuraya-4’s commercial readiness is a major milestone for Space42," said Ali Al Hashemi, CEO of Space Services at Space42. "It strengthens our Non-Terrestrial Network leadership by translating long-term vision into global scale and commercial growth."

The flexibility offered by Thuraya-4 allows Space42 to allocate bandwidth dynamically while configuring coverage intelligently. This seamless integration with terrestrial networks ensures a resilient communications ecosystem supporting customers globally.

With inputs from WAM