Space42 Opens MENA's First HAPS Manufacturing Facility in Abu Dhabi

Mira Aerospace, a subsidiary of the UAE-based SpaceTech firm Space42 (ADX: SPACE42), has launched the Middle East and North Africa’s first High Altitude Platform Stations (HAPS) manufacturing centre in Abu Dhabi. This milestone facility aims to significantly boost the company's production capabilities, drive cutting-edge research and development, and accelerate the commercialization of HAPS technologies, laying the groundwork for long-term, sustainable aerospace innovation in the region.

Advanced Production Facility to Serve Multiple Sectors

Spanning 4,500 square meters, the newly inaugurated facility is equipped to produce over 20 HAPS unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) annually. These UAVs will serve a variety of sectors, including civil aviation, environmental monitoring, and national defence. The facility marks a pivotal step in Mira Aerospace’s broader mission to establish the UAE as a global leader in space-based connectivity and aerospace manufacturing.

Supporting the UAE’s National Space Ambitions

This investment is closely aligned with the UAE’s National Space Strategy 2030, reinforcing the country's vision to become a hub for sovereign space technologies. Space42 plays a key role in this national agenda by strengthening local capabilities in aerospace manufacturing and R&D. The launch of the HAPS facility reflects a broader commitment to enhancing national resilience and innovation in advanced technologies.

Khaled Al Marzooqi, CEO of Mira Aerospace, Space42, said: “As the global demand for HAPS accelerates, Space42 is making strategic investments to strengthen our leadership in this growing market. The decision to build our new HAPS manufacturing facility in Abu Dhabi reflects our commitment to creating reliable, cost-effective systems with advanced space technology and plays a central role in developing sovereign capabilities that support our long-term business objectives and the UAE’s broader economic goals.”

Strategic Partnerships and Regional Leadership

The HAPS facility is part of Space42’s broader investment roadmap to deepen vertically integrated manufacturing and data systems. Notably, the company is working alongside ICEYE, a world leader in synthetic aperture radar (SAR) systems, to co-develop Earth Observation (EO) satellites within the UAE. These joint efforts are advancing the UAE’s EO Space Program and reinforcing the country’s position as the only nation in the Middle East with domestic aerospace manufacturing infrastructure.

Scaling Space42’s Global Footprint

The HAPS facility is a critical component of Space42’s strategy to scale operations and increase its global influence in the space technology sector. By developing in-house technical expertise and advanced infrastructure, the company aims to maintain a competitive advantage and deliver long-term value to its stakeholders.

Strengthening Operational Efficiency and Market Leadership

Designed to streamline global operations and meet growing demand for HAPS-based services, the new centre enhances Space42’s ability to deliver high-quality geospatial data solutions. Local manufacturing not only accelerates production timelines but also allows the company to tailor offerings to regional needs while maintaining robust financial performance.

Recent Milestones and Future Outlook

The Abu Dhabi facility adds to a series of significant achievements for Mira Aerospace. In February 2025, the company joined forces with XRANGE to create a permanent testing site for high-altitude UAV trials. Earlier, in October 2024, Mira developed two sophisticated payloads for applications such as environmental surveillance, emergency response, urban development, and agriculture. These include an EO payload delivering high-resolution data and a telecommunications payload offering direct-to-device connectivity and aerial data transmission.

Global Innovation Leadership in HAPS

With these advancements, Space42 cements its reputation as a global pioneer in HAPS technology. It is notably the first company worldwide to demonstrate 5G connectivity from the stratosphere using heavier-than-air HAPS platforms, further validating its leadership in the evolving landscape of space-based communications and intelligence.