SpaceX launches Thuraya 4 satellite for the UAE’s Space42. Photo: SpaceX

SpaceX launched the Thuraya 4 telecommunications satellite for United Arab Emirates (UAE) space and AI company Space42 on Friday, Jan. 3. The mission was SpaceX’s first launch of 2025. 

The Falcon 9 mission launched from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station at 8:27 p.m. ET., launching the satellite to Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO). 

The satellite is now in the orbit-raising process to reach its operational GEO position at 44 degrees East. The process is expected to take several months.

Built by Airbus, the Thuraya 4 Geostationary (GEO) satellite is one of the largest mobile satellite services (MSS) communication satellites ever built. It will increase coverage across Europe, Africa, Central Asia, and the Middle East, providing mobility solutions for defense, government, and enterprise customers.

Yahsat selected Airbus to build the satellite in 2020. Yahsat is now Yahsat Space Services, part of Space42, after a merger this year with geospatial company Bayanat. Thuraya is the satellite mobility arm under Yahsat Space Services.

“The launch of Thuraya 4 marks a significant milestone in Space42’s journey. It lays the foundation for our next-generation mobile satellite solutions capabilities, expanding our offering to our partners and customers and creating new avenues for innovation. The launch reinforces Space42’s leadership position in the global satcom industry,” Karim Michel Sabbagh, managing director of Space42, said in a news release.

The satellite is based on the Airbus all-electric Eurostar Neo Platform. It has an L-band antenna and a payload with on-board processing capabilities to providing routing flexibility for up to 3,200 channels. 

This is Thuraya’s first launch in 20 years and is set to expand the product offerings for Yahsat Space Services. 

“This is the first big investment of Thuraya and will recognize us as a serious competitor when it comes to traditional L-band services,” Ali Al Hashemi, CEO of Yahsat Space Services, told Via Satellite in a 2024 interview.