Connect with us

News

Abu Dhabi Merger Will Create A $4.1B Space Company

Bayanat, a geospatial data provider, and Al Yah Satellite Communications will become Space42, the MENA region’s first AI-powered space-tech company.

Published

1 year ago

on

abu dhabi merger will create a $4.1 billion space company
Yahsat

Two Abu Dhabi companies have agreed to merge in a landmark deal that will create “Space42,” one of the world’s most valuable listed space-tech companies.

Bayanat, a geospatial data provider, and Al Yah Satellite Communications — known as Yahsat — will have a market capitalization of $4.08 billion.

“This merger will unite two leading home-grown companies to create the Mena region’s first AI-powered space technology company,” explained Tareq Al Hosani, chairman of Bayanat.

“Together, we will leverage our key synergies to reinforce our position as a key engine of growth and strategic solutions provider to the UAE government and its agencies while expanding our reach to global customers,” he added.

The proposed merger will be realized through a share swap, with Bayanat remaining a legal entity. The shareholders of Bayanat and Yahsat will own 54% and 46%, respectively, of the newly created company.

“The merger is a compelling opportunity to amplify value creation for shareholders, utilizing synergies and strategic consolidation to create a technologically advanced champion […] The enlarged entity will benefit from accelerated growth potential as a player of scale with enhanced competitive advantage,” said Musabbeh Al Kaabi, chairman of Yahsat.

Also Read: Aramex And Regent To Develop Electric Seagliders

The space sector is currently enjoying a massive surge of interest as competition hots up with more companies entering the arena. According to figures from the Space Foundation, the space economy grew by 8% to nearly $550 billion in 2022 and is projected to expand by at least another 40% over the next five years.

The UAE, currently the Arab world’s second-largest economy, has the region’s largest space sector in terms of investment size. Last year, the Emirates launched an $820 million fund to support its latest space program and a new initiative to develop high-tech radar satellites.

Related Topics:
Advertisement

📢 Get Exclusive Monthly Articles, Updates & Tech Tips Right In Your Inbox!

JOIN 17K+ SUBSCRIBERS

Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

News

UAE Prepares To Launch Two Satellites: Thuraya-2 And MBZ-SAT

HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum chaired the first meeting of the Supreme Space Council yesterday.

Published

5 days ago

on

December 17, 2024

By

uae prepares to launch two satellites thuraya-2 and mbz-sat

HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE, chaired the first meeting of the Supreme Space Council in Dubai on December 16, 2024. The session highlighted the UAE’s ambitious space plans and took stock of the sector’s economic progress.

The council emphasized the growing role of private companies in advancing space technologies, noting that their contributions are now equal to that of the public sector. Members also praised initiatives like the Space Economic Zones Programme, which are designed to fuel innovation and investment in the space industry.

Discussing the UAE’s space journey, HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum remarked, “The national space sector continues to grow and advance, and we take immense pride in the remarkable achievements we have accomplished over the years”.

Sheikh Hamdan also received updates on two upcoming satellite projects: Thuraya-2 and MBZ-SAT. Thuraya-2, developed by Space42, is slated for launch this December. Meanwhile, the MBZ-SAT, created by the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC), will soon follow. MBRSC, a major driver of the UAE National Space Programme, continues to lead the nation’s space-related developments.

Space42 took the opportunity to showcase its advancements, including ongoing collaborations between public and private entities. The company also outlined strategies to promote innovation, boost revenue streams, and create new opportunities for growth in the sector.

Also Read: IBM Opens New Doha Office To Support Qatar’s Digital Growth

The UAE’s current projects build on a growing legacy of space exploration. Back in 2020, the nation made headlines with its Mars mission, successfully sending a probe into the planet’s orbit in 2021. This mission, which is now in its second phase as of June 2024, has been collecting critical data to develop a comprehensive diurnal image of Mars.

The UAE also ventured into lunar exploration with an unmanned mission aimed at studying untouched regions of the Moon’s surface. While the probe ultimately crashed during its landing attempt after communication was lost seconds before touchdown, the effort represented a significant step in the country’s exploration ambitions.

Continue Reading

#Trending