emirates7 - Mira Aerospace, the High Altitude Platform Stations (HAPS) division of Space42—a UAE-based, AI-driven space technology company—has launched the MENA region’s first HAPS manufacturing facility in Abu Dhabi.
This cutting-edge 4,500-square-meter hub marks a major step forward in Mira Aerospace’s manufacturing capabilities. It is set to boost advanced research and development, accelerate the commercial rollout of HAPS technology, and provide a strong foundation for sustained growth. The facility is expected to produce over 20 HAPS unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) annually, supporting a wide range of applications across civil, environmental, and defence sectors.
This strategic development aligns with the UAE’s ambition to lead in aerospace innovation and space-based connectivity, as outlined in the National Space Strategy 2030. Space42 is playing a key role in the country’s efforts to establish sovereign capabilities in space technology, manufacturing, and R&D—sectors that are central to the UAE’s broader technology and industrial resilience strategy.
Khaled Al Marzooqi, CEO of Mira Aerospace and Space42, stated, “As global interest in HAPS grows, Space42 is making pivotal investments to lead this emerging market. Establishing the new manufacturing facility in Abu Dhabi is a testament to our dedication to building advanced, cost-efficient systems and to enhancing the UAE’s strategic aerospace capabilities.”
The new plant is part of a wider set of initiatives by Space42 to deepen its integrated manufacturing and data infrastructure. In parallel, the company has partnered with ICEYE—a global pioneer in synthetic aperture radar (SAR) technology—to co-develop Earth Observation (EO) satellites within the UAE.
These initiatives directly support the UAE’s EO Space Program, which focuses on enhancing national satellite-based remote sensing expertise. The UAE remains the only country in the Middle East with indigenous aerospace manufacturing capabilities, placing it among a group of space-faring nations worldwide.
Projects like the HAPS manufacturing centre align with Space42’s long-term strategy to scale operations and expand global influence. By building local expertise tailored to evolving market demands, the new facility strengthens the company’s competitive position and delivers sustained value to stakeholders.
The hub is designed to centralize global operations and respond to increasing demand for HAPS-based services. With localized production, Space42 is well-equipped to scale efficiently, develop specialized competencies, and maintain sound financial management.
This new facility adds to a series of milestones for Mira Aerospace. In February 2025, the company formed a partnership with XRANGE, a multi-domain Training, Testing, and Evaluation (TT&E) centre, to establish a dedicated testing ground for high-altitude, long-endurance UAV trials. Earlier, in October 2024, Mira developed two advanced payload systems—one focused on high-resolution Earth observation for decision-making in fields like disaster response and urban planning, and another enabling direct-to-device communications and airborne-to-ground data relays.
Space42 is a global leader in the HAPS sector and holds the distinction of being the first to demonstrate 5G connectivity from the stratosphere using a heavier-than-air HAPS platform.
This cutting-edge 4,500-square-meter hub marks a major step forward in Mira Aerospace’s manufacturing capabilities. It is set to boost advanced research and development, accelerate the commercial rollout of HAPS technology, and provide a strong foundation for sustained growth. The facility is expected to produce over 20 HAPS unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) annually, supporting a wide range of applications across civil, environmental, and defence sectors.
This strategic development aligns with the UAE’s ambition to lead in aerospace innovation and space-based connectivity, as outlined in the National Space Strategy 2030. Space42 is playing a key role in the country’s efforts to establish sovereign capabilities in space technology, manufacturing, and R&D—sectors that are central to the UAE’s broader technology and industrial resilience strategy.
Khaled Al Marzooqi, CEO of Mira Aerospace and Space42, stated, “As global interest in HAPS grows, Space42 is making pivotal investments to lead this emerging market. Establishing the new manufacturing facility in Abu Dhabi is a testament to our dedication to building advanced, cost-efficient systems and to enhancing the UAE’s strategic aerospace capabilities.”
The new plant is part of a wider set of initiatives by Space42 to deepen its integrated manufacturing and data infrastructure. In parallel, the company has partnered with ICEYE—a global pioneer in synthetic aperture radar (SAR) technology—to co-develop Earth Observation (EO) satellites within the UAE.
These initiatives directly support the UAE’s EO Space Program, which focuses on enhancing national satellite-based remote sensing expertise. The UAE remains the only country in the Middle East with indigenous aerospace manufacturing capabilities, placing it among a group of space-faring nations worldwide.
Projects like the HAPS manufacturing centre align with Space42’s long-term strategy to scale operations and expand global influence. By building local expertise tailored to evolving market demands, the new facility strengthens the company’s competitive position and delivers sustained value to stakeholders.
The hub is designed to centralize global operations and respond to increasing demand for HAPS-based services. With localized production, Space42 is well-equipped to scale efficiently, develop specialized competencies, and maintain sound financial management.
This new facility adds to a series of milestones for Mira Aerospace. In February 2025, the company formed a partnership with XRANGE, a multi-domain Training, Testing, and Evaluation (TT&E) centre, to establish a dedicated testing ground for high-altitude, long-endurance UAV trials. Earlier, in October 2024, Mira developed two advanced payload systems—one focused on high-resolution Earth observation for decision-making in fields like disaster response and urban planning, and another enabling direct-to-device communications and airborne-to-ground data relays.
Space42 is a global leader in the HAPS sector and holds the distinction of being the first to demonstrate 5G connectivity from the stratosphere using a heavier-than-air HAPS platform.