On January 3, SpaceX achieved another milestone by launching the Thuraya-4 satellite for the United Arab Emirates’ emerging space leader, Space42.
Lifting off at 8:27 p.m. Eastern from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, the Falcon 9 rocket successfully placed the Thuraya-4 into a geostationary transfer orbit. The launch signifies SpaceX’s 341st successful landing of an orbital class rocket’s first stage, marking a testament to their consistent advancements in rocket reusability.
Thuraya-4, an all-electric satellite based on the Airbus Eurostar Neo Platform, is equipped with a 12-meter L-band antenna designed to provide narrowband connectivity. This capability is intended to support mobile communications across several regions including Europe, Africa, Central Asia, and the Middle East.
The satellite is a product of Yahsat’s strategic evolution, the UAE-based satellite operator which merged with Bayanat, an artificial intelligence provider, in October. This merger led to the formation of Space42, a company poised to lead the charge in cutting-edge space technology driven by AI.
Initially commissioned in 2020, Thuraya-4 experienced delays that pushed its launch from 2023 to early 2025. Airbus encountered schedule and cost challenges in their space endeavors, affecting the satellite’s timeline. Despite these setbacks, the successful deployment of Thuraya-4 replaces aging Boeing-built satellites currently in geostationary orbit, ensuring continued mobile satellite service in the region.
While Yahsat had initially considered an option for a second satellite to cover Asia, this plan has not yet come to fruition. In an effort to keep up with the growing demands in space tech, Space42 leaders are spearheading projects to enhance hybrid connectivity and geospatial services, targeting burgeoning markets like autonomous vehicles.
Looking ahead, Yahsat has expressed interest in expanding its services. Airbus is constructing two additional satellites, Al Yah-4 and Al Yah-5, slated for SpaceX launches in 2027 and 2028, respectively. Further, Space42 has procured two low Earth orbit satellites from Airbus, part of a broader, yet unrevealed, multi-orbit strategy.
Gwynne Shotwell, SpaceX’s President and COO, expressed the company’s ambition to ramp up its operations, targeting between 175 to 180 launches in 2025, following a productive 2024 where they closed out with 134 launches. The previous year, SpaceX had managed 96 launches, showcasing significant growth.
CEO of Yahsat Space Services, Ali Al Hashemi, highlighted the potential of Thuraya-4 to revolutionize services through innovative AI solutions, although detailed specifics are yet to be clarified.
SpaceX’s successful launch of Thuraya-4 underscores the ongoing advancements in space technology and AI-driven services, supporting global connectivity. As SpaceX continues to push the boundaries of space exploration and Yahsat expands its strategic outreach, the future of satellite communications promises to foster innovative solutions for a connected world.
Source: Spacenews
