Beyond borders: Space42’s new model of sovereignty
Khalid Al Naqbi
VP of Product and Engineering, Space42
Twenty-five years ago, the first call made through Thuraya-1 declared sovereign capability for the region. That moment crystallized my belief in the power of sovereign space-based communications. Twenty-five years later, as Thuraya-4, Space42’s next-generation L-band mobile satellite launched in January 2025, enters commercial operations, that same conviction drives Space42’s mission to lead the next evolution of global connectivity.
Thuraya-4 symbolizes the convergence of technology, sovereignty, and opportunity. The satellite unlocks 16 new solutions serving dualuse domains across defense and commercial markets. Built over years of design, investment, and innovation, it continues a proud legacy while bridging a new era as the cornerstone of Space42’s transformation strategy.
The emergence of new space
As we mark 25 years since Thuraya1’s launch, we stand at the threshold of New Space: a shift from state-dominated space programs toward a dynamic, commercialized ecosystem driven by private innovation, miniaturization, and digital convergence. Global investment in the New Space economy exceeded $270 billion in 2024, according to Euroconsult, with more than 10,000 satellites expected to be operational in low and geostationary orbits by 2030. The cost of launching a satellite has dropped by over 80 percent since the early 2000s, enabling smaller nations and private entities to join the space economy for the first time.
Space42 embodies this shift while anchoring it in sovereign purpose. Our objective is to build autonomy through infrastructure that adapts to evolving threats and opportunities. The Al Yah 4 and Al Yah 5 program, backed by an AED 18.7 billion (USD 5.1 billion) contract with the UAE government, will deliver sovereign communications and defense-grade resilience for the next two decades. These geostationary satellites, launching from 2026 onward, feature software-defined payloads that enable real-time reconfiguration of coverage, spectrum, and bandwidth. This capability guarantees operational autonomy in contested or disrupted environments.
The direct-to-device revolution
While Al Yah satellites secure sovereign communications infrastructure, Equatys democratizes access. Our project with Viasat enables any smartphone or IoT device to reach satellites directly through open architectures and shared standards. This transforms how the world accesses orbital resources.
The applications are immediate. Disaster response teams remain operational when terrestrial networks fail. Defense units maintain secure communications in remote terrain. Researchers stay connected from isolated frontiers. This model proves that global collaboration can strengthen, rather than compromise, sovereignty.
The market validates this approach. According to the Satellite Industry Association, global satellite data revenue will exceed $50 billion annually by 2030, driven largely by direct-to-device and IoT applications. Space42’s leadership in this domain positions the UAE and its partners as architects of the next orbital economy.
Intelligent convergence
This democratization of access gains power through integration. Space42’s strength lies in uniting multiple domains that others treat as distinct. Our Earth observation systems, equipped with Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) and powered by AI-driven analytics, operate in tandem with our communication satellites. Through our Foresight constellation and GIQ analytics platform, we process imagery into actionable intelligence within minutes, while communication channels relay insights securely across theaters of operation. This fusion of observation and communication multiplies the strategic value of every satellite.
A study by the World Economic Forum predicts that by 2032, over 60 percent of all satellite constellations will be hybrid in nature, combining imaging, IoT, and connectivity functions. Space42 is already realizing this future. Each asset serves multiple roles, enhancing defense operations, commercial connectivity, and environmental monitoring simultaneously. This model strengthens resilience and delivers exponential returns on investment for both shareholders and the state.
Beyond borders
Countries that establish leadership in space communications today will define the digital frontiers of tomorrow. The UAE’s transformation from a regional telecom hub to a global space technology leader demonstrates what strategic foresight can achieve. Space42’s journey reflects that national ambition: from Thuraya-1’s historic first call to an integrated, multi-orbit platform that unites communications and Earth observation capabilities across defense and commercial markets, powered by AI-driven analytics.
Twenty-five years after that first call, each generation of Thuraya satellites has expanded our reach, but Thuraya-4 marks a shift in philosophy. It demonstrates that sovereignty and innovation can coexist, that collaboration can strengthen independence, and that the future of space belongs to those who see beyond borders. The emergence of New Space represents the natural extension of our founding mission: to enlighten the world from space.