Satellite launches, global ties mark MBRSC’s success in 2025

2025 marked a defining year for the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC), shaped by flagship satellite launches, leadership-led milestones, and a strong programme of international collaboration and public engagement.

From orbit to Earth applications, the Centre’s work this year advanced national capability across Earth observation, exploration readiness, geospatial science, and innovation.

Major progress was anchored by the successful launches of MBZ-SAT, Etihad-SAT, and PHI-1, alongside the launch of HCT-SAT 1.

The year also included strategic agreements linked to the Gateway lunar space station and the Emirates Lunar Mission, while global platforms such as Geospatial Week 2025, Dubai Airshow 2025, and the International Astronautical Congress strengthened dialogue, partnerships, and visibility for the UAE’s space ecosystem.

The pages that follow capture the milestones that defined the year, organised by launches, leadership communications, major events, strategic visits, and internal programmes that continued to build the next generation of national talent.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum witnessed, at the Mission Control Centre at MBRSC, the successful launch of MBZ-SAT, which is the most advanced satellite in the region and named in honour of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE.

The satellite launched from SLC-4E at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California aboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9 on 14 January at 11.09 pm (UAE time).

On the same Falcon 9 mission on 14 January at 11.09 PM (UAE time), MBRSC in partnership with the Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT), launched HCT-SAT 1 from SLC-4E at Vandenberg.

MBRSC successfully launched Etihad-SAT, its first Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite, developed in partnership with South Korea’s Satrec Initiative in March 2025 and introduced SAR imaging technology that enhances Earth observation through high-resolution imagery in all weather conditions and across day and night operations.

During World Space Week 2025, MBRSC released the first set of images captured by MBZ-SAT and Etihad-SAT, marking a new phase in the UAE’s satellite imaging capabilities.

PHI-1, the first modular satellite platform developed under the Payload Hosting Initiative (PHI) in partnership with UNOOSA and its “Access to Space for All” initiative, was successfully launched into orbit. The satellite lifted off at 10.44 PM (UAE time) on 28 November aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 from Vandenberg in California.

PHI-1 represents the UAE’s mission to enable nations and entities to test technologies in orbit, reflecting national efforts to support a more inclusive and globally connected space ecosystem.

The Emirates Lunar Mission’s Rashid Rover 2 development was completed following environmental and functional tests conducted in the UAE.

The rover was dispatched to the United States to begin the next phase of preparations with Firefly Aerospace for its planned mission to the far side of the Moon in 2026.

Sheikh Mohammed witnessed the signing of a strategic cooperation agreement between MBRSC and Thales Alenia Space, appointing Thales Alenia Space as a strategic partner in the development of the Airlock module on the Gateway lunar space station. MBRSC hosted NASA’s Moon to Mars Architecture Workshop in Dubai (25–26 February) at the Etihad Museum, bringing together representatives from major space agencies including NASA, ESA, CNES, and JAXA.

Geospatial Week 2025 was successfully held in April 2025, hosted by MBRSC in collaboration with ISPRS under the theme “Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing for a Better Tomorrow.”

MBRSC showcased the upgraded Geo Analytics Platform at GITEX EUROPE x Ai Everything 2025, highlighting capabilities in space-based data analytics and Earth observation.

MBRSC marked a significant presence at Dubai Airshow 2025, welcoming leaders, partners, and visitors while showcasing flagship programmes and mission updates. The stand featured models of Rashid Rover 2, MBZ-SAT, and the Gateway lunar space station, and hosted engagements with international entities to discuss collaboration opportunities and research exchange.

MBRSC participated in GITEX Global 2025 and Expand North Star, showcasing geospatial solutions and the upgraded GeoAnalytics Platform, alongside key satellite projects including MBZ-SAT and Etihad-SAT.