From importer to innovator: How the UAE Is manufacturing the future of space
Khaled Al Marzooqi
CEO of Mira Aerospace, a subsidiary of Space42
The UAE has evolved from dependency on imported aerospace technologies to designing, building, and operating advanced platforms for global markets. This evolution establishes a new model for space leadership grounded in sovereign manufacturing capabilities and strategic vision.
At Mira Aerospace, we embody this transformation through our High-Altitude Platform Systems (HAPS) facility, where engineers on Emirati soil manufacture aircraft that operate in the stratosphere with precision and reliability.
I witnessed this transformation firsthand when we conducted the UAE’s first HAPS flights on Abu Al Abyad Island, working directly with the Ministry of Defense. Watching our platform ascend to an altitude of 18 kilometers, equipped with advanced payloads designed in-house and locally built, proved that we could compete with established space and aerial powers through engineering excellence and manufacturing precision. Our technology unlocked entirely new domains as we pioneer operations in the stratosphere, positioning us at the forefront of the latest aerospace trends.
Filling the strategic middle layer
HAPS occupy the critical space between satellites and terrestrial infrastructure, creating a persistent middle layer combining orbital endurance with aerial flexibility. Flying at an altitude of 18 kilometers, above weather patterns and commercial aviation and below satellites, these platforms deliver continuous coverage with unique advantages: rapid deployment, real-time repositioning, and direct line-of-sight to vast geographic areas.
This middle layer fills gaps that satellites and ground systems cannot address effectively. Satellites provide global coverage but require years to deploy and billions to replace. Terrestrial networks offer high capacity but limited range. HAPS bridge these limitations, providing persistent coverage that can be deployed within days and repositioned as needs evolve. The strategic importance encompasses multiple domains. HAPS deliver high-resolution imagery for environmental monitoring, secure communications for defense applications, and connectivity for remote regions where traditional infrastructure proves uneconomical. This versatility makes them essential components of national resilience infrastructure.
Commercial applications drive economic value
The commercial potential of HAPS creates new opportunities across industries that depend on connectivity and real-time data. Rural broadband represents the defining application, with HAPS functioning as floating cell towers that deliver high-speed internet to underserved communities at a fraction of satellite costs.
Precision agriculture leverages the same connectivity infrastructure to revolutionize farming operations. HAPS provide continuous monitoring of crop health, soil conditions, and weather patterns through hyperspectral imaging and environmental sensors, enabling farmers to optimize irrigation, fertilization, and harvesting with unprecedented precision. These platforms simultaneously detect methane emissions and greenhouse gases for environmental protection. Nations managing vast territories or complex supply chains gain visibility through logistics monitoring. That tracks fleet movements, monitors pipeline integrity, and provides continuous coverage across remote terrain, translating directly into operational efficiency and security.
The same flexibility that serves commercial markets translates directly to dual-use applications for defense. HAPS deliver persistent monitoring capabilities through sophisticated sensors that hover over single points, supporting border protection, maritime monitoring, and airspace surveillance. With payload capacities up to 12 kilograms and the ability to monitor activities across multiple frequency bands while maintaining position for extended periods, these platforms prove invaluable for national security missions.
HAPS require lower capital investment than satellite constellations while offering greater flexibility than terrestrial networks. This combination of affordability and capability makes cutting-edge connectivity accessible to emerging markets and specialized applications previously considered economically unfeasible.
Manufacturing sovereignty enables strategic agility
Manufacturing HAPS locally transforms the UAE from a technology consumer to a technology sovereign, controlling development timelines, customization requirements, and operational priorities. Our 4,400 square meter manufacturing facility in Abu Dhabi will produce more than 20 Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) annually, each tailored to specific mission requirements. This production capacity creates industrial depth rare among nations, positioning the UAE as both user and supplier in global aerospace markets.
The strategic advantages extend beyond production. Local manufacturing enables rapid iteration, customization for regional requirements, and integration with national defense and economic priorities. Each platform achieves service life exceeding 10,000 hours while carrying sophisticated sensors and communications equipment. When international partners engage with us now, they recognize the UAE as a peer capable of contributing technology and expertise to collaborative projects.
Vision for space leadership
At Mira Aerospace, we see HAPS as the foundation for broader space capabilities that advance the UAE’s National Space Strategy 2030. The engineering expertise, manufacturing processes, and operational experience gained through HAPS development translate directly to satellite systems, launch vehicles, and spacebased infrastructure. This progression from stratospheric platforms to orbital systems reflects the natural evolution of aerospace capabilities, with economic implications extending across industries from precision agriculture to connectivity and environmental monitoring.
By building HAPS locally, we secure the nation’s strategic position in space and contribute to the growing space economy. Our work positions the UAE at the forefront of global aerospace innovation, leading the latest aerospace trends and becoming the first country worldwide to regulate the stratospheric layer.
HAPS represent the beginning of a journey toward comprehensive space capabilities that serve national priorities while advancing human knowledge and capability.