UAE's First Liquid Rocket Engine Test-Fired By Abu Dhabi’s Technology Innovation Institute

The Technology Innovation Institute (TII), part of Abu Dhabi's Advanced Technology Research Council, has successfully developed and tested the UAE's first liquid rocket engine. This achievement marks a significant step in enhancing the country's space capabilities. Liquid rocket engines are crucial for modern space exploration, forming the backbone of reusable launch vehicles that ensure sustainable access to space.

By mastering this technology, the UAE can now design propulsion systems vital for orbital manoeuvres, station keeping, and precise spacecraft positioning. This capability is essential for future lunar and Martian missions. The newly developed engine is a 250-newton liquid rocket thruster, capable of lifting 25 kg on Earth. It was entirely designed and built in the UAE.

Engines of this class are commonly used for small satellite propulsion and orbital adjustments. They play a key role in advancing space mobility. During testing, the thruster achieved combustion efficiencies of up to 94 percent. Over 50 successful firings validated its design, reliability, and consistency—key performance benchmarks for future in-space applications.

TII’s liquid rocket programme is based in Abu Dhabi and combines Emirati engineers with international experts. This collaboration builds a knowledge base that empowers national talent and inspires future space innovators. The programme supports TII’s mission to develop UAE's in-space propulsion capabilities.

Dr. Najwa Aaraj, CEO of TII, stated, "This engine is more than a technical success – it represents the foundation of a capability that will enable the UAE to design, test and ultimately deploy propulsion systems for a range of future missions." By developing expertise locally, Abu Dhabi ensures sovereign space technology becomes a reality with national talent at its core.

Dr. Elias Tsoutsanis, Chief Researcher at TII’s Propulsion and Space Research Centre, remarked on the significance of firing the UAE’s first liquid rocket engine: "Successfully firing the UAE’s first liquid rocket engine is a major step in building sovereign propulsion capability." He highlighted the team's dedication and progress in their research efforts.

Future Plans for Space Exploration

The initial testing took place at Airborne Engineering’s facilities in the UK as part of an international collaboration. However, plans are underway to establish dedicated test infrastructure within the UAE. This will allow future cold-flow and firing tests to occur locally, supporting ongoing innovation on home soil.

The roadmap ahead includes scaling propulsion systems to larger engines and moving towards cryogenic propellants. These advancements aim to support deep space missions and reflect Abu Dhabi's commitment to playing a meaningful role in global space exploration.

This milestone reflects TII’s broader mission to build UAE's in-space propulsion capabilities. It includes scaling designs, developing engines with regenerative cooling, and enabling independent access to space for scientific, commercial, and exploratory missions.

With inputs from WAM