Post by : Badri Ariffin

Space42, the UAE-based space technology company, has rolled out its latest mobile communications satellite, Thuraya-4 (T4-NGS), to provide enhanced connectivity across more than 100 countries spanning Europe, Africa, Central Asia and the Middle East. The deployment now includes markets such as South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Mozambique and Zambia, widening Space42’s international presence.

Designed to combine connectivity and smart capabilities, Thuraya-4 transforms satellite links into a flexible platform for multiple sectors. The launch reinforces Space42’s footprint in non-terrestrial networks and supports a foundational 15-year government agreement worth USD 708 million that underpins its mobile satellite services operations.

Advanced Technology for Diverse Environments

Using the L-band spectrum, Thuraya-4 delivers resilient communications across land, sea and air, reaching areas where terrestrial networks are absent or unreliable. The satellite is intended to serve a range of users, from vessels operating in the Mediterranean to energy infrastructure projects across Africa and aviation platforms requiring continuous data links.

Built on the Airbus Eurostar Neo platform and launched in January 2025, Thuraya-4 ranks among the largest mobile communications satellites currently in orbit. Notable technical features include:

• 12-meter reflector antenna paired with onboard processing to expand coverage

• Software-defined architecture enabling flexible bandwidth management

• Throughput above 1 Mbps with capacity to be reconfigured in orbit via software updates

• Support for IoT and Direct-to-Device connections, removing dependency on specialised terminals

A Suite of 16 Innovative Products

Thuraya-4’s technology is packaged into 16 tailored products aimed at distinct operational needs:

• Land: IP NEO M/C for broadband mobility (COTP) and Commander NEO for secure field operations

• Broadband Data: Voyager NEO for on-the-move connectivity (COTM)

• Maritime: Orion NEO for reliable offshore communications

• Airborne: T320, T420 and T220 suites for fixed-wing, rotary and UAV platforms

• Deployable Networks: Mobile Gateway M/C NEO with IP Handset for rapid, localised connectivity

• Beyond Line of Sight: T-TAC tactical transceiver system offering UHF/VHF coverage

Strategic Growth and Ecosystem Expansion

Thuraya-4 integrates into Space42’s broader ecosystem, which features three SAR satellites in the Foresight Earth Observation Constellation, the GIQ geospatial intelligence platform hosted on Microsoft Azure, and increased satellite manufacturing capacity in the UAE. Together these elements position Space42 as a growing authority in enabling global satellite communications for both commercial and government users.

With Thuraya-4, Space42 aims to offer dependable, secure and adaptable communications, opening new possibilities for governments, businesses and individuals to stay connected worldwide.

#News, #Tech #AI, #Space