UAE’s Space42 launches Middle East’s First HAPS Factory
Space42, a UAE-based SpaceTech company, has inaugurated the region’s first manufacturing facility for High Altitude Platform Stations (HAPS) in Abu Dhabi. Operated by its subsidiary Mira Aerospace, the 4,500-square-meter plant will annually produce over 20 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). These UAVs are designed to serve civil, environmental, and defense sectors. This initiative supports the UAE’s National Space Strategy 2030 and broader economic diversification plans.
Strategic Investments to Lead Aerospace Innovation
Khaled Al Marzooqi, CEO of Mira Aerospace, explained that the rising global demand for HAPS drives Space42’s strategic investments. Building the facility in Abu Dhabi demonstrates the company’s commitment to delivering reliable, cost-effective systems using advanced space technology. Furthermore, the project aligns with developing sovereign aerospace capabilities and advancing the UAE’s long-term economic goals. Notably, the UAE remains the only Middle Eastern country with domestic aerospace manufacturing capacity, placing it at the forefront of regional innovation.
Broader Vision: Vertical Integration and Satellite Collaboration
Beyond HAPS, Space42’s investments extend into vertically integrated manufacturing and data infrastructure. The company is partnering with ICEYE, a leader in synthetic aperture radar technology, to co-produce Earth Observation satellites locally. Additionally, Mira Aerospace has teamed with XRANGE to create a permanent testing hub for high-altitude, long-endurance UAV trials. In fact, Space42 claims to be the first globally to demonstrate 5G connectivity from the stratosphere via heavier-than-air HAPS. Established in 2024 from the merger of Bayanat and Yahsat, Space42 is publicly listed on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange and backed by major shareholders like G42, Mubadala, and IHC.
Through these initiatives, Space42 aims to bolster the UAE’s sovereignty in aerospace technology while fostering economic growth and regional leadership in space innovation.
