United Arab Emirates continued to strengthen its position as a global hub for advanced technology and space science during 2025, marking a year defined by strategic progress and long term investment in a knowledge based, innovation driven economy. Over the course of the year, the country expanded its orbital infrastructure, advanced lunar exploration plans, and deepened international partnerships that support both scientific discovery and practical Earth observation capabilities. These developments collectively underscored the UAE’s shift toward becoming a sustained contributor to global space activity rather than a participant limited to isolated missions.
Throughout 2025, the UAE launched and deployed several strategic satellites that enhanced its space based capabilities across communications, observation, and research. These included Thuraya 4, MBZ SAT, Al Ain Sat 1, HCT SAT1, and the Foresight Constellation, according to APP reporting. A notable milestone was the launch of Etihad SAT, which delivered the country’s first domestically developed radar satellite capability. This achievement expanded the UAE’s ability to generate high value data for monitoring land, infrastructure, and environmental conditions. Another important mission was PHI 1, the first modular satellite platform developed under the Payload Hosting Initiative in collaboration with the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs, reflecting the UAE’s growing role in international space cooperation and capacity building.
A significant step forward in human spaceflight and lunar exploration came in February, when Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre signed a partnership with Thales Alenia Space to develop the Crew and Science Airlock for NASA’s Lunar Gateway. The 15 year agreement secures a permanent UAE presence aboard the lunar station and positions the country to send its first astronaut to the moon. This partnership represents one of the most ambitious international commitments undertaken by the UAE space program to date. Further advancing its lunar ambitions, MBRSC also signed an agreement with Firefly Aerospace to provide the lander for the Rashid 2 Rover mission, which is planned to explore the far side of the moon. Cooperation with France’s National Centre for Space Studies was expanded to equip the rover with CASPEX cameras and advanced systems designed to enhance scientific output. Rashid 2 has completed environmental and mechanical testing inside the UAE and has been cleared for shipment to the United States ahead of its planned 2026 launch.
In parallel, progress continued on Earth observation and regional collaboration initiatives. Space42 oversaw the integration and testing of three Synthetic Aperture Radar satellites Foresight 3, Foresight 4, and Foresight 5 within the UAE for the first time. These satellites are expected to deliver imagery with resolutions of up to 25 centimetres, supporting applications such as disaster response, climate monitoring, and urban planning. Regional cooperation also gained momentum in December with the launch of the “813” Arab Satellite, a UAE led initiative designed to harness space based data in support of sustainable development across the Arab world. To ensure long term growth of the sector, the UAE introduced advanced satellite engineering programmes through the National Space Academy in partnership with EDGE Group, strengthening local talent development.
Beyond near Earth missions, the UAE Space Agency completed the Critical Design Review for the Emirates Mission to the Asteroid Belt, a seven year project aimed at exploring the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. Alongside the continued scientific output from the Hope Probe’s Mars atmospheric mission, these efforts illustrate how the UAE is steadily expanding the scope and depth of its space activities. The progress recorded in 2025 reflects a coordinated national approach that blends scientific ambition, international collaboration, and workforce development to support the country’s broader technological and economic objectives.
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