A company based in Abu Dhabi is preparing to operate a platform thousands of metres above the Earth's surface, designed to capture real-time data and provide high-speed communications from the lower part of the stratosphere.
Called a High-Altitude Platform Station (HAPS), this technology can reach altitudes of 18km, in a zone known as near-space where no commercial aircraft or satellites operate. The project makes Mira Aerospace one of the first companies in the region to stake a claim in this strategic layer of the sky.
Operating just beneath the internationally recognised boundary of space, Mira’s solar-powered HAPS aircraft can maintain its position for months, unaffected by weather disturbances below.
Khaled Al Marzooqi, chief executive of Mira Aerospace, which is a subsidiary of space-tech company Space42, told The National on Tuesday that the technology “does not replace drones or satellites” but it closes gaps.
What sets Mira Aerospace apart?
“Drones can fly for a limited time and have to land in maximum five days, and satellites have fixed kinds of orbits, where you have to wait for them to reach the exact spot in order to get an image or service,” he said. “HAPS have direct connectivity and remain in a certain place for a period of time.”
Mr Al Marzooqi said the company's high-altitude station can stay airborne for up to several months and can support communication and three different Earth-observation payloads, such as optical, thermal and synthetic-aperture radar. This means the HAPS would be able to capture detailed geographic and environmental information for sectors such as environment, urban planning, emergency response and transport. The sensors would also be beneficial for autonomous driving, helping to provide real-time, high-resolution mapping and continuous connectivity and enhancing navigation and data accuracy.
It is not clear what kind of engine Mira's technology uses, but most HAPS platforms have lightweight electric engines powered by solar-charged batteries. It offers efficiency, low emissions and compatibility with the solar-powered system that enable the platform to stay airborne for extended periods.
Mr Al Marzooqi said the company is already developing an Earth-observation and telecommunication payload for its first operational flight, which it hopes to fully integrate from Abu Dhabi in the first quarter of 2025. "We've already done many [test] flights in Europe, Africa, Asia, and even in UAE," he said. "We flew with two different types of payloads."
Work still to be done
But before Mira Aerospace can take to the skies for commercial operations, the company is working to overcome regulatory challenges.
Mr Al Marzooqi said his company was working closely with the UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) to determine whether the technology falls under the category of a "drone or normal airplane that is remotely controlled", as the wings of the HAPS span 30 metres. "The challenges are that this layer [of the sky] has not been regulated yet, because nobody has operated in it before," he said. "So, we still need to go to the government entities, of course, whether here in the UAE or anywhere else, to get the permits to fly."
Stratospheric operations generally fall under the jurisdiction of national aviation authorities, such as the UAE's GCAA, but can also involve international bodies depending on the altitude, range and type of operations.
Dr John Sheldon, partner at AzurX - a UAE-based private advisory and investment firm specialising in the space sector, told The National that Mira Aerospace developing Earth observation and communications payload for their HAPS was "an important step for the company and the UAE".
It's a "logical progression in the company’s strategy to be the region’s leading near-space operator and technology developer," he said. "The extremely high-altitude that Mira Aerospace operates in is an increasingly vital part of communications and Earth observation networks that encompass the land and sea, air, space and near-space. "Companies like Mira Aerospace provide users of communications and Earth observation services with a near space capability as part of layered networks across vast geographies."
A Closer Look: How Hazza Al Mansouri's trip to space sparked the Emirati programme
Tori Amos
Native Invader
Decca
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
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RESULTS
Mumbai Indians 181-4 (20 ovs)
Kolkata Knight Riders 168-6 (20ovs)
Mumbai won by 13 runs
Rajasthan Royals 152-9 (20 ovs)
Kings XI Punjab 155-4 (18.4 ovs)
Kings XI Punjab won by 6 wickets
RACE CARD
5pm: Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 1,400m
5.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh70,000 1,000m
6pm: Maiden (PA) Dh70,000 2,000m
6.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 2,000m
7pm: Maiden (PA) Dh70,000 1,600m
7.30pm: Al Ain Mile Group 3 (PA) Dh350,000 1,600m
8pm: Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 1,600m
Amith's selections:
5pm: AF Sail
5.30pm: Dahawi
6pm: Taajer
6.30pm: Pharitz Oubai
7pm: Winked
7.30pm: Shahm
8pm: Raniah
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-finals, first leg
Liverpool v Roma
When: April 24, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Anfield, Liverpool
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 2, Stadio Olimpico, Rome
Infiniti QX80 specs
Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6
Power: 450hp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: From Dh450,000, Autograph model from Dh510,000
Available: Now
HIJRA
Starring: Lamar Faden, Khairiah Nathmy, Nawaf Al-Dhufairy
Director: Shahad Ameen
Rating: 3/5
Bert van Marwijk factfile
Born: May 19 1952
Place of birth: Deventer, Netherlands
Playing position: Midfielder
Teams managed:
1998-2000 Fortuna Sittard
2000-2004 Feyenoord
2004-2006 Borussia Dortmund
2007-2008 Feyenoord
2008-2012 Netherlands
2013-2014 Hamburg
2015-2017 Saudi Arabia
2018 Australia
Major honours (manager):
2001/02 Uefa Cup, Feyenoord
2007/08 KNVB Cup, Feyenoord
World Cup runner-up, Netherlands
Scoreline
Saudi Arabia 1-0 Japan
Saudi Arabia Al Muwallad 63’
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
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Favourite book: ‘The Art of Learning’ by Josh Waitzkin
Favourite film: Marvel movies
Favourite parkour spot in Dubai: Residence towers in Jumeirah Beach Residence
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
PROFILE OF HALAN
Started: November 2017
Founders: Mounir Nakhla, Ahmed Mohsen and Mohamed Aboulnaga
Based: Cairo, Egypt
Sector: transport and logistics
Size: 150 employees
Investment: approximately $8 million
Investors include: Singapore’s Battery Road Digital Holdings, Egypt’s Algebra Ventures, Uber co-founder and former CTO Oscar Salazar
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COMPANY PROFILE
● Company: Bidzi
● Started: 2024
● Founders: Akshay Dosaj and Asif Rashid
● Based: Dubai, UAE
● Industry: M&A
● Funding size: Bootstrapped
● No of employees: Nine
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
'Lost in Space'
Creators: Matt Sazama, Burk Sharpless, Irwin Allen
Stars: Molly Parker, Toby Stephens, Maxwell Jenkins
Rating: 4/5
Sri Lanka squad for tri-nation series
Angelo Mathews (c), Upul Tharanga, Danushka Gunathilaka, Kusal Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal, Kusal Janith Perera, Thisara Perera, Asela Gunaratne, Niroshan Dickwella, Suranga Lakmal, Nuwan Pradeep, Dushmantha Chameera, Shehan Madushanka, Akila Dananjaya, Lakshan Sandakan and Wanidu Hasaranga
The Voice of Hind Rajab
Starring: Saja Kilani, Clara Khoury, Motaz Malhees
Director: Kaouther Ben Hania
Rating: 4/5
What sanctions would be reimposed?
Under ‘snapback’, measures imposed on Iran by the UN Security Council in six resolutions would be restored, including:
- An arms embargo
- A ban on uranium enrichment and reprocessing
- A ban on launches and other activities with ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, as well as ballistic missile technology transfer and technical assistance
- A targeted global asset freeze and travel ban on Iranian individuals and entities
- Authorisation for countries to inspect Iran Air Cargo and Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines cargoes for banned goods
War 2
Director: Ayan Mukerji
Stars: Hrithik Roshan, NTR, Kiara Advani, Ashutosh Rana
Rating: 2/5
Voy!%20Voy!%20Voy!
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Developer: Ubisoft Montreal / Ubisoft Toronto
Publisher: Ubisoft
Platforms: Playstation 4, Xbox One, Windows
Release Date: April 10
if you go
The flights
Etihad, Emirates and Singapore Airlines fly direct from the UAE to Singapore from Dh2,265 return including taxes. The flight takes about 7 hours.
The hotel
Rooms at the M Social Singapore cost from SG $179 (Dh488) per night including taxes.
The tour
Makan Makan Walking group tours costs from SG $90 (Dh245) per person for about three hours. Tailor-made tours can be arranged. For details go to www.woknstroll.com.sg
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Nepotism is the name of the game
Salman Khan’s father, Salim Khan, is one of Bollywood’s most legendary screenwriters. Through his partnership with co-writer Javed Akhtar, Salim is credited with having paved the path for the Indian film industry’s blockbuster format in the 1970s. Something his son now rules the roost of. More importantly, the Salim-Javed duo also created the persona of the “angry young man” for Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan in the 1970s, reflecting the angst of the average Indian. In choosing to be the ordinary man’s “hero” as opposed to a thespian in new Bollywood, Salman Khan remains tightly linked to his father’s oeuvre. Thanks dad.
In Full Flight: A Story of Africa and Atonement
John Heminway, Knopff
