In a major step for the UAE’s growing influence in the global space economy, Space42, the Abu Dhabi-based AI-powered SpaceTech company, has announced the global availability of its next-generation mobile communications satellite, Thuraya-4 (T4-NGS). The milestone positions Space42 at the forefront of intelligent connectivity, advancing the nation’s ambition to build an integrated, data-driven space ecosystem.

The new satellite delivers secure, high-performance communication services to more than 100 countries across Europe, Africa, Central Asia, and the Middle East, with coverage now extended to South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Mozambique, and Zambia.

Building on Thuraya’s 25-year legacy, now under the Space42 umbrella, T4-NGS embodies the company’s vision of combining connectivity with intelligence. The satellite is backed by a 15-year government contract worth USD 708 million and supports Space42’s mobile satellite services strategy.

“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,” said Ali Al Hashemi, CEO of Space Services at Space42.

Operating on the L-band spectrum, Thuraya-4 ensures reliable communication in challenging environments across land, sea, and air. Built on the Airbus Eurostar Neo platform and launched in January 2025, the satellite features a software-defined architecture and a 12-meter reflector antenna, enabling dynamic bandwidth allocation and seamless integration with terrestrial networks.

The activation of Thuraya-4 follows other major milestones in Space42’s ecosystem, including the Foresight Earth Observation Constellation, GIQ’s integration on Microsoft Azure, and the expansion of satellite manufacturing capabilities in the UAE.