How the UAE is forging a new frontier in space technology

In the global race to harness space technologies for Earth-based impact, few companies are advancing with the scale and purpose of Space42. Formed through the merger of Bayanat and Yahsat, two prominent UAE-based technology leaders, Space42 has rapidly emerged as a new kind of SpaceTech player: vertically integrated, AI-driven and mission-oriented. With a remit that spans geospatial intelligence, satellite-enabled communications, and autonomous systems, the company is not just elevating national capabilities but also helping shape the future of space-powered industries worldwide.

“Space42 brings together complementary capabilities in a way that very few companies globally can match,” says Hasan Al Hosani, CEO of Bayanat Smart Solutions, now part of Space42. “What differentiates us is our end-to-end approach. We unify satellite communications, AI-powered analytics and geospatial data in a single sovereign platform. That’s our core advantage.”

This integration is not simply about technical capability. It enables Space42 to deliver mission-critical solutions across a wide spectrum of sectors — from defense and disaster response to climate resilience and autonomous mobility. Instead of siloed services, the company offers predictive insights that inform smarter, faster decisions.

At the heart of this ecosystem is GIQ, Space42’s AI analytics platform. Designed to process immense volumes of satellite and sensor data, GIQ turns raw information into real-time intelligence. This capability proved invaluable during the 2024 UAE rainstorms, where Space42 integrated synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data and digital twin models to provide real-time flood detection and post-event damage assessments. The data enabled emergency responders to prioritise resources, accelerate recovery and deploy aid with precision.

“No human team can manage the velocity and volume of satellite data we now collect,” says Al Hosani. “That’s where AI becomes indispensable. It filters signal from noise to inform decision-making when timing matters most.”

The company’s AI-driven systems are also transforming operations in sectors like maritime surveillance and energy. For example, Space42’s platform is used by coast guards to detect illegal fishing, monitor vessel movement and track environmental hazards such as oil spills. In the energy sector, the company’s Rig Move Project, developed in partnership with AIQ, uses satellite imagery and AI to optimise rig allocation and reduce downtime in oilfield operations.

“The future of SpaceTech lies not in just data collection, but in intelligent interpretation,” Al Hosani emphasises. “Our tools help governments and industries make real-time, high-confidence decisions, whether in crisis response or long-term planning.”

This philosophy of integration extends to Space42’s broader operating model. By combining the deep analytics and mapping expertise of Bayanat with Yahsat’s communication satellite infrastructure, Space42 has broadened its ability to serve emerging needs in sustainability, autonomous transport and environmental monitoring.

In the sustainability space, Space42 uses SAR satellites and high-altitude platform systems (HAPS) to monitor environmental conditions in real time. When combined with Digital Twin technology and AI forecasting, these systems allow governments to model flooding, drought and rising sea levels with high accuracy, thereby informing policies that reduce climate risk.

In mobility, the company is advancing autonomous systems through the fusion of AI, high-definition mapping and satellite communications. Its work with TXAI, the region’s first Level 4 autonomous vehicle, is moving toward Level 5 deployment in Abu Dhabi’s urban zones. “We’re building the geospatial infrastructure that powers autonomy,” says Al Hosani. “It’s not just about making cars self-driving — it’s about enabling safe, scalable mobility for the future.”

Space42 is also pursuing partnerships that align with its vision of scalable, impactful innovation. There have been joint ventures with technology leaders like Oxa and Vay in autonomous driving and defense collaborations with entities like EDGE and FADA, “Our collaborations aren’t just extensions of Yahsat or Bayanat’s legacy,” Al Hosani notes. “They’re driven by a clear roadmap: to build a sovereign, AI-powered space platform that delivers value across society.”

This includes contributing to military and defense capabilities through advanced geospatial intelligence. Space42’s multi-orbit satellite communications and SAR imaging provide real-time situational awareness for modern military operations. High-altitude platforms and UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) supplement satellite data with persistent imaging, enabling security forces to detect terrain changes and respond swiftly in dynamic environments.

Space42’s AI engine, GIQ, aggregates inputs from satellites, UAVs, sensors and radar to support everything from threat detection to autonomous mission planning. This combination of space-based intelligence and ground-level execution is transforming how national defense strategies are formulated.

“We’re helping militaries shift from reactive to predictive postures,” says Al Hosani. “With AI and geospatial intelligence, they can anticipate threats, allocate resources efficiently, and act with speed and confidence.”

These same principles apply to Space42’s role in developing smart cities. As urban centres become more complex and data-rich, Space42 sees a critical opportunity to embed geospatial intelligence into the core fabric of municipal operations. The company’s Foresight SAR constellation provides persistent, high-resolution imaging that supports urban planning, land use optimisation and infrastructure resilience.

“Smart cities need more than sensors and apps—they need insight at the systems level,” Al Hosani explains. “By integrating satellite imagery, IoT inputs and AI, we help city planners respond to challenges in real time and anticipate future needs.”

Beyond the UAE, Space42 is leveraging its platform to expand into underserved markets across Africa and the Global South. With connectivity gaps still prevalent, particularly in education and healthcare, the company is helping connect remote communities through satellite broadband and tailored infrastructure projects. In Zimbabwe, for instance, Space42 has connected over 1,300 schools, with plans to reach nearly two million students.

“There are no limits to how space data can support development,” says Al Hosani. “We’re applying the same intelligence infrastructure that supports governments and oil companies to uplift education, healthcare and agriculture in emerging regions.”

This international momentum is matched by Space42’s domestic role in advancing the UAE’s national space agenda. Under the UAE Space Strategy 2030, the country is investing heavily in sovereign space infrastructure and research capabilities. Space42 has a long-term mandate to provide secure satellite communications to the UAE government until 2043.

“The UAE’s ambitions are bold, and we are proud to help realise them,” Al Hosani says. “From enabling autonomous mobility to building sovereign space infrastructure, Space42 is not just participating in the space economy—we’re helping define it.”

As the company scales, its focus is to lead with conviction, scale with discipline and drive long-term value for shareholders and society. Space42’s growth model emphasises capability-building, capital discipline and global relevance. Its blend of AI, geospatial science and strategic foresight positions it not only as a national asset but as a global contender in the next chapter of the space economy. “This isn’t about space for space’s sake. It’s about how we use space-based technologies to solve Earth’s most urgent problems—with intelligence, speed, and purpose. That’s the future we’re building,” Al Hosani concludes.