SpaceX was able to launch the Thuraya-4 of the UAE satellite early this year on January 3 making it the first Falcon 9 launch for the year 2025. The satellite, developed by Airbus and commissioned by Space42, was deployed into geostationary transfer orbit after lifting off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station at 8:27 p.m. Eastern. As a result of a 12-meter L-band antenna, Thuraya-4 should improve the mobile communication systems in Europe, Africa, central Asia and the Middle East.
Falcon 9 launches @Space42ai’s Thuraya 4 to orbit, completing our first mission of the year! pic.twitter.com/ekVQR6605M
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) January 4, 2025
The New Generation Mobile Broadband Infrastructure for World Citizens
The Thuraya-4 satellite that will be an all-electric satellite and uses Airbus Eurostar Neo as its platform will be used to replace some of the aging satellites that Space42 currently uses. Purchased in 2020 by Yahsat and known today as Space42 after the merger with Artificial Intelligence company Bayanat, the satellite meets growing customer needs for mobility in MSA. While the second satellite for Asia was expected, the service still has not been activated. Airbus’s space division’s current issues led to shifting the launch of Thuraya-4 from 2023 to early 2025.
The CEO of Space42 Ali Al Hashemi pointed out that AI solutions can be delivered through Thuraya-4. These offerings are consistent with the company’s vision of hybrid connectivity solutions for new verticals like, autonomous vehicles.
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It was able to accomplish 134 orbital missions by the end of 2024, more than the 96 in 2023 and much more than global competitors. Company’s chief operating officer Gwynne Shotwell launched the company’s goal of 175-180 launches a year by 2025, pointing to the company’s leadership in the sphere of commercial space launches.
The future cooperation with Space42 is being discussed, and SpaceX will launch Al Yah-4 and Al Yah-5 satellites in 2027 and 2028. Also, Space42 has a multi-orbit concept with two low earth orbit spacecraft from Airbus and there is much more than just global coverage.
