UAE's Space42 Successfully Launches Thuraya 4 Satellite into Orbit from Cape Canaveral

The UAE continues to solidify its position as a leader in the global SpaceTech industry with the successful deployment of Thuraya 4 (T4), a telecommunications satellite, into orbit. This achievement marks a significant advancement for Space42, a UAE-based company known for its AI-powered SpaceTech solutions. The company specializes in providing premium geospatial data and analytics, non-terrestrial networks, and secure connectivity solutions worldwide.

Launched via SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket from Florida's Cape Canaveral Space Force Station at 20:26 Eastern Time, the satellite embarked on its journey to space. Once deployed, Thuraya 4 activated its built-in electrical thrusters for Electrical Orbit Raising (EOR), a process that will take several months. The satellite aims to settle into its geostationary orbit about 36,000 kilometers above Earth, positioned at 44° East.

Image Courtesy: SpaceX/X

As Space42’s sixth geostationary satellite, Thuraya 4 plays a pivotal role in expanding the company's capabilities. It stands out as one of the largest Mobile Satellite Services (MSS) communication satellites ever produced. Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX, confirmed the launch as SpaceX's first in 2025 on X.

With plans to introduce over 15 new products, Space42 aims to cater to the growing demands across various sectors, including defense, government, and enterprise. The satellite will enhance security, increase speed, and broaden coverage across Africa, Europe, Central Asia, and the Middle East, heralding a new era in mobile telecommunications systems.

Karim Michel Sabbagh, Managing Director of Space42, highlighted the importance of this launch, stating, "The launch of Thuraya 4 marks a significant milestone in Space42's journey. It lays the foundation for our next-generation mobile satellite solutions capabilities, expanding our offering to our partners and customers and creating new avenues for innovation. The launch reinforces Space42's leadership position in the global SatCom industry."

This sentiment was echoed by Mansoor Al Mansoori, Chairman of Space42, who said, "The successful launch of Space42's next generation mobility satellite, Thuraya 4, is a clear testament to our commitment to push the innovation boundaries and actively participate in strengthening the UAE's leadership in the SpaceTech sector globally. This key milestone in Space42's journey not only propels its capabilities to reshape the future of connectivity but also and further advances the UAE's ambitious National Space Strategy 2030."

The technological prowess of Thuraya 4 is bolstered by its foundation on the Airbus Eurostar Neo platform, featuring a 12-meter antenna operating in L-Band. This enables exceptional routing flexibility across up to 3,200 channels with dynamic power allocation over numerous spot beams.

Ali Al Hashemi, CEO of Yahsat Space Services at Space42, remarked on the milestone, stating, "Launching Thuraya 4 is a monumental step forward for Space42, continuing a legacy built upon disruptive technology, innovation, and connectivity. We are proud of today's accomplishment as we pursue one of our core strategic pillars to become a global non-terrestrial networks leader, venture into emerging business segments, including direct-to-device and Internet of Things, and diversify our offerings to customers across the globe."

Alain Fauré, Head of Space Systems at Airbus, also celebrated this achievement: "We open a new chapter in the story of Airbus and Space42: Thuraya 4 satellite successfully launched into space! After being transported from our cleanrooms in France to its launch site in Florida onboard our own Airbus Beluga, the latest telecommunications satellite is now ready to provide increased flexibility for our customer Space42's communications satellite fleet.

"Leveraging the state-of-the-art all-electric Airbus Eurostar Neo platform, the Thuraya 4 launch represents a major milestone and reinforces our longstanding partnership with Space42, stretching back more than 10 years. Along with our partners at the European Space Agency, CNES and UKSA, the Eurostar Neo family of Airbus telecommunications satellites continues to deliver."

The launch not only underscores Space42’s commitment to innovation and excellence but also aligns with the UAE’s National Space Strategy 2030, aiming to enhance the country's leadership in the SpaceTech sector on a global scale.