Mohammed bin Rashid Space Center announces the readiness of the Fi-1 satellite for launch

The Mohammed bin Rashid Space Center announced the readiness of the Fi-1 satellite for launch, which is the first standard platform developed within the initiative to host satellite payloads in partnership with the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs, within the framework of the “Access to Space for All” initiative. The launch is scheduled to take place on a specific date tomorrow, November 19, 2025, aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Base in California, USA.

FI-1 represents a qualitative step in the UAE’s journey towards opening the way for countries and institutions to access space, and enhancing international cooperation in science and technology. The satellite was completely developed and assembled in Dubai, to reflect the UAE’s vision of investing in innovation and enabling international partners to effectively contribute to the field of space exploration.

Amer Al Sayegh Al Ghafri, Assistant Director General for Space Engineering, Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre, said: “The FI-1 mission embodies the UAE’s vision of creating equal opportunities for all and contributing to building a sustainable, knowledge-based future in the field of space exploration. This initiative provides a real platform that enables countries and institutions to actively participate in scientific research and space innovation. The development of this entire satellite in the UAE, in cooperation with the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs, also reflects our commitment to enhancing international cooperation and empowering the next generation of engineers and researchers who will lead The global march of scientific exploration.

For her part, Aarti Holla-Maini, Director of the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs, said: “As we prepare for the launch of the Fi-1 satellite, the true power of constructive international cooperation is evident to us. Through the multilateral framework provided by the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs, and thanks to the advanced capabilities of the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre, we are enabling new entities to transform their ideas into realistic space projects, gain valuable practical experience, and strengthen their national programmes. Such initiatives form an essential foundation for ensuring Fair and equal access to space, and a broader distribution of the benefits of scientific progress among all nations.”

A global platform for space research and innovation
FI-1 is a modular CubeSat 12U satellite, with a weight of up to 20 kilograms and an expected operational life of approximately one year, designed to enable international partners to test and evaluate new technologies in low Earth orbit.

Through this mission, the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Center contributes to providing a space environment that supports research, education and innovation, and enhances the development of capabilities in the fields of satellite engineering, data processing, and operating space missions in real time.

The satellite will host a group of innovative payloads that reflect the spirit of international cooperation, and include the “Aman” payload from the Bahrain Space Agency, which aims to test software for data encryption, in addition to a LoRa operating system for long-range wireless communications, from Antarikshya Pratishtan from Nepal. The “Fi-1” satellite will also include a payload from the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Center, which is a video camera specialized in space photography, which will capture high-resolution images and video clips with the aim of providing the concerned authorities. With accurate monitoring data, supporting educational programs, and contributing to the testing and adoption of future technologies. In addition to the “Luna” payload from the Sharjah Academy for Astronomy and Space Sciences and Technology, which is an electronic circuit used to measure temperature and determine the direction of satellites.

Local development enhances national competencies
FI-1 was developed entirely at the facilities of the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Center in Dubai, in cooperation with partners in the design, testing and mission preparation phases. The center provided full technical support for the integration and verification processes, to ensure that the operational objectives of each payload were achieved.

Once the satellite reaches low Earth orbit at an altitude of approximately 500 kilometers, it will begin sending data to the center’s control and monitoring station, to be analyzed and shared with participating parties in support of future research.

This mission embodies the UAE’s growing role in building a global space system based on cooperation and the exchange of knowledge and expertise, thus enhancing the use of space to serve humanity.

The Fi-1 mission contributes to promoting the sustainable development goals of the United Nations, by building human capabilities in the fields of space engineering and scientific research to support quality education, advancing economies built on innovation and creating distinguished job opportunities, in addition to developing advanced and sustainable industrial frameworks that support innovation and infrastructure for the space sector.