Abu Dhabi, UAE, November 18, 2025 At Dubai Airshow 2025, Mira Aerospace, the High Altitude Platform Systems (HAPS) subsidiary of Space42 (ADX: SPACE42), the UAE-based AI-powered SpaceTech company, announced the successful completion of the first public test flight of its advanced, solar-powered HAPS model, ApusNeo18. Reaching stratospheric altitudes, the flight validated the system's endurance, resilience, and readiness for commercial deployment. The aircraft carried an advanced Earth Observation payload developed in-house by Mira Aerospace, combining high-resolution optical and infrared sensors with real-time data transmission.
Although conducted in November, the UAE's less favorable HAPS season, the flight confirmed ApusNeo18's ability to perform across varied weather conditions, an essential step toward global operations.
Khaled Al Marzooqi, CEO of Mira Aerospace, Space42, said, The successful test flight of ApusNeo18 marks the culmination of a comprehensive testing program to commercialize our latest payload technology. Sustaining solar-powered flight and reaching stratospheric altitudes in this season demonstrates reliable performance at scale. This achievement accelerates Space42's mission to deliver premium geospatial intelligence and reflects the pace and precision with which Mira Aerospace is engineering advanced, high-altitude systems.
Strategic and Commercial Impact
ApusNeo18 is the first Mira Aerospace platform to reach commercial maturity, evolving from the ApusNeo14 subscale model. The new model delivers higher altitude, greater payload capacity, and a wider operational envelope.
The aircraft can be utilized in environmental monitoring and disaster response operations. Its proven performance opens high-value commercial opportunities while advancing practical applications that serve national and global needs.
Engineering Innovation
HAPS aircraft bridge the gap between aviation and space. They offer satellite-like persistence with aircraft-level flexibility at lower operational costs.
ApusNeo18 is a lightweight, solar-powered platform designed for sustained stratospheric missions. With an 18-meter wingspan, 18,000-meter altitude ceiling, and 4-kilogram payload capacity, it combines modular construction with in-flight agility, enabling rapid reconfiguration for diverse mission profiles.
Contributions to the UAE's National Space Strategy
ApusNeo18 advances the UAE's sovereign aerospace capabilities and is a core component of Space42's AI-powered, multi-orbit architecture. The successful test flight places the UAE among a select group of nations that have publicly demonstrated sustained HAPS performance at stratospheric altitudes, supporting national goals under the UAE Space Strategy 2030.
To scale its capabilities, Space42 will begin production at its dedicated HAPS manufacturing facility in Abu Dhabi, one of the world's only end-to-end, sovereign HAPS production lines. This industrial investment further strengthens the UAE's role as a regional hub for high-altitude innovation and dual-use aerospace technology.
About Space42
Space42 (ADX: SPACE42) is a UAE-based AI-powered SpaceTech company that integrates satellite communications, geospatial analytics and artificial intelligence capabilities to enlighten the Earth from space. Formed in 2024 by the successful merger of Bayanat and Yahsat, Space42's global reach allows it to address the rapidly evolving needs of its customers in governments, enterprises, and communities. Space42 comprises two business units: Space Services and Smart Solutions. Space Services focuses on upstream satellite operations for both fixed and mobile satellite services. Smart Solutions integrates geospatial data acquisition and processing with AI to inform decision-making, enhance situational awareness, and improve operational efficiency. Major shareholders include G42, Mubadala, and IHC.
For more information, visit: www.space42.ai; follow us on X: @space42ai
Legal Notice and Cautionary statement regarding forward-looking information
This announcement may contain forward-looking statements based on current expectations and assumptions about future events. These statements identified by terms such as expect, will, or similar are subject to risks and uncertainties and may prove inaccurate. They reflect information available as of the date hereof, and the companies disclaim any obligation to update them. No assurance is given that any forward-looking statement will occur, and undue reliance should not be placed on them. This announcement does not constitute a financial promotion or an offer to buy or sell securities in any jurisdiction.
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Abu Dhabi, UAE, November 18, 2025 At Dubai Airshow 2025, Mira Aerospace, the High Altitude Platform Systems (HAPS) subsidiary of Space42 (ADX: SPACE42), the UAE-based AI-powered SpaceTech company, announced the successful completion of the first public test flight of its advanced, solar-powered HAPS model, ApusNeo18. Reaching stratospheric altitudes, the flight validated the system's endurance, resilience, and readiness for commercial deployment. The aircraft carried an advanced Earth Observation payload developed in-house by Mira Aerospace, combining high-resolution optical and infrared sensors with real-time data transmission.
