Abu Dhabi aerospace company to begin building prototypes for near-space flight launches

Abu Dhabi's Space 42 will begin to manufacture prototypes of platforms that will operate thousands of metres above the Earth's surface this year.

The announcement was made by the company's managing director Karim Sabbagh at the recent Make it in the Emirates 2025 manufacturing conference in Abu Dhabi, said state news agency Wam.

Space 42's Abu Dhabi facility will host the manufacturing of the prototype platforms that are designed to capture real-time data and provide high-speed communications from the lower stratosphere.

Called a High-Altitude Platform Station (Haps), this technology can reach altitudes of 18km, in a zone known as near-space where no commercial aircraft or satellites operate, The National previously reported.

The Haps will enable unmanned aircraft to carry payloads into orbit for both communications and Earth observation. Trials in African, Asian, and European markets are expected to begin in the coming months, Mr Sabbagh said. The trials aim to validate the operational capabilities and demonstrate the feasibility of the Haps concept.

The platforms themselves will be operated by Mira Aerospace, a subsidiary of space-tech company Space42. Mr Sabbagh also laid out Space42's plans to develop a non-terrestrial communications network, which will “leverage a constellation of satellites to deliver global coverage, particularly in regions underserved by traditional terrestrial infrastructure”.

It is the latest cutting-edge initiative to be led by Space 42 to bolster communication systems back on Earth.

In April, the company announced plans to harness advanced satellite technology to provide crucial support for people in communication blackspots, such as disaster zones, remote villages and at sea.

It is to partner with US satellite giant Viasat in to build a multi-orbit 5G Non-Terrestrial Network which will broaden phone coverage and reduce reliance on traditional infrastructure such as mobile phone masts.

The extensive satellite network will beam signals directly to mobile phones using a service known as Direct-to-Device (D2D).

Space42 hopes the technology will also improve everyday phone and internet access in underserved communities and industries, as well as delivering a lifeline in emergency situations.