Space42, the UAE-based AI-powered SpaceTech company with global reach, has announced two major milestones that reinforce its position as a global leader in advanced satellite communications and Earth observation. The company confirmed the global availability of its next-generation mobile communications satellite, Thuraya-4 (T4-NGS), alongside the successful launch of three new Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellites—Foresight-3, Foresight-4, and Foresight-5—as part of its expanding Foresight Earth Observation (EO) Constellation.
Together, these achievements mark a pivotal step in Space42’s mission to combine connectivity with intelligence, delivering an integrated ecosystem of mobile satellite communications, geospatial insights, and AI-powered data solutions to governments, enterprises, and industries worldwide.
Expanding Global Connectivity with Thuraya-4
The newly operational Thuraya-4 satellite delivers secure and reliable communications across more than 100 countries in Europe, Africa, Central Asia, and the Middle East, extending coverage to new markets including South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Mozambique, and Zambia. Built on the Airbus Eurostar Neo platform and launched in January 2025, Thuraya-4 is one of the most advanced mobile communications satellites in orbit, with a 12-meter reflector antenna, software-defined architecture, and in-orbit reconfiguration capabilities that deliver speeds exceeding 1 Mbps.
Ali Al Hashemi, CEO of Space Services at Space42, said: “Thuraya-4’s commercial readiness is a major milestone for Space42. It strengthens our Non-Terrestrial Network leadership, showing how we translate long-term vision into global scale and commercial growth. By combining connectivity with next-generation technology, we are building a more adaptable, resilient communications ecosystem that will support customers, partners, and markets for years to come.”
Operating on the L-band spectrum, Thuraya-4 ensures uninterrupted connectivity across land, sea, and air — supporting maritime operations, remote energy sites, and aviation networks where terrestrial communications cannot reach. The platform is also IoT- and Direct-to-Device-ready, enabling smartphones and sensors to connect without specialized terminals.
Thuraya-4 introduces 16 new product offerings, including:
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Land: IP NEO M/C (Comms on the Pause) and Commander NEO for secure field operations.
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Maritime: Orion NEO for offshore communications.
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Airborne: T320, T420, and T220 terminals for aircraft and UAVs.
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Deployable Networks: Mobile Gateway M/C NEO for instant field connectivity.
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Tactical Use: T-TAC transceiver system for extending UHF/VHF communications across all environments.
The satellite also supports a 15-year government contract worth USD 708 million, anchoring Space42’s mobile satellite services business and strengthening its Non-Terrestrial Network leadership.
Advancing Earth Observation Capabilities with ICEYE
In parallel, Space42 and ICEYE, the global leader in SAR satellite operations, have expanded the company’s Earth Observation capacity with the successful launch of Foresight-3, Foresight-4, and Foresight-5 into Low Earth Orbit (LEO). The satellites were launched aboard SpaceX’s Bandwagon-4 rideshare mission from Cape Canaveral, Florida, via integrator Exolaunch, and have already begun early routine operations.
Hasan Al Hosani, CEO of Smart Solutions at Space42, said: “Expanding the Foresight Constellation to five satellites in just over one year demonstrates our commitment to operating as a center of excellence for space innovation, and enhances the space ecosystem we are developing, that can scale globally from Abu Dhabi. By combining sovereign capability with global collaboration, together with ICEYE, we deliver intelligence that matters across industries and borders. Space42’s strategy is to lead the premium geospatial intelligence market, and today’s milestone is proof of execution at speed and scale.”
Rafal Modrzewski, CEO and co-founder of ICEYE, added: “Working with Space42 demonstrates how ICEYE’s technology and operational expertise can help partners establish sovereign satellite capabilities. By launching mid-inclination SAR satellites, we are enabling Space42 to deliver persistent coverage across key regions at middle latitudes. We look forward to building even greater capabilities in the UAE and collaborating with our partners as they advance their space ambitions.”
The Foresight Constellation, which now includes five operational satellites, integrates SAR imagery with Space42’s AI geospatial platform, GIQ, to deliver real-time, decision-grade intelligence. Operating at 25-centimeter resolution, GIQ provides continuous visibility, daily revisit rates, and advanced change detection — enabling faster response times, predictive infrastructure monitoring, and operational efficiency gains across sectors.
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Supporting the UAE’s Space and AI Vision
With the Foresight satellites produced in Finland, tested and integrated for the first time in Abu Dhabi at Space42’s Assembly, Integration, and Testing (AIT) facility, and launched from the United States, the program exemplifies international collaboration and distributed manufacturing — aligning with the UAE’s National Space Strategy 2030 and strengthening the country’s role as a global space hub.
Space42 now stands among the few global operators integrating SAR, communications, and AI platforms to deliver intelligent, interoperable data systems. The expansion of satellite manufacturing and operations from the UAE further strengthens the nation’s industrial base, supporting high-tech talent development and advanced manufacturing capabilities.
The company’s achievements with Thuraya-4 and the Foresight Constellation collectively advance its mission to transform how the world connects, observes, and understands the planet — empowering governments and enterprises to make smarter, faster, and more sustainable decisions.
