UAE-based space technology firm Space42 has rolled out its latest mobile communications satellite, Thuraya-4 (T4-NGS), delivering upgraded connectivity across more than 100 countries spanning Europe, Africa, Central Asia and the Middle East. The rollout broadens coverage to new African markets including South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Mozambique and Zambia, reinforcing the company’s international reach.
Thuraya-4 melds connectivity with on-board intelligence, positioning satellite links as a flexible platform for multiple industries. This launch is underpinned by a 15-year government agreement worth USD 708 million, which anchors Space42’s expanding mobile satellite services business.
Robust performance for land, sea and air
Working in the L-band spectrum, Thuraya-4 is built to maintain reliable communications in remote or inhospitable settings, serving maritime operations across the Mediterranean, energy sites in Africa and airborne networks. The system supports real-time data flow where terrestrial networks are absent.
Constructed on the Airbus Eurostar Neo platform and deployed in January 2025, Thuraya-4 ranks among the largest mobile comms satellites in orbit. Standout technical features include:
12-meter reflector antenna combined with on-board processing to widen coverage
Software-defined architecture that lets operators shift bandwidth on demand
Throughputs surpassing 1 Mbps, with capacity to be reconfigured via software updates while in orbit
Native support for IoT and Direct-to-Device connectivity, reducing reliance on special terminals
Sixteen tailored products for varied missions
The Thuraya-4 platform is backed by a lineup of 16 purpose-built products for different use cases:
Land: IP NEO M/C for broadband mobility (COTP), Commander NEO for secure field operations
Broadband Data: Voyager NEO for on-the-move connectivity (COTM)
Maritime: Orion NEO for offshore voice and data
Airborne: T320, T420, T220 tailored for fixed-wing, rotary and UAV platforms
Deployable Networks: Mobile Gateway M/C NEO with IP Handset to establish instant links
Beyond Line of Sight: T-TAC tactical transceiver system providing UHF/VHF reach
Part of a broader Space42 ecosystem
Thuraya-4 complements Space42’s wider offerings, which include three SAR satellites within the Foresight Earth Observation Constellation, the GIQ geospatial intelligence platform on Microsoft Azure, and growing satellite production capabilities in the UAE. Together these assets strengthen Space42’s role in closing connectivity gaps and enabling new commercial and governmental services.
With Thuraya-4, Space42 aims to change how governments, companies and communities access dependable, secure and adaptable communications worldwide.
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