In a bold move set to revolutionize the processing of space-based data, the UAE startup Madari Space plans to launch a data center into Low Earth Orbit (LEO) by the third quarter of 2026. This pioneering project, spearheaded by former Etihad pilot Shareef Al Romaithi, aims to address the growing demand for processing raw satellite data directly in orbit, according to a Bloomberg report.
The need to manage vast volumes of unprocessed data generated by Earth observation satellites is escalating. Traditionally, this data is routed to ground-based facilities. However, Madari Space suggests that in-orbit processing could provide a more expedient, real-time solution. As Romaithi expressed, “By placing data centers in space, we enable data owners to make informed decisions in real time.”
Initially, Madari Space will conduct trials in LEO, where risk factors are lower. The company attributes the feasibility of this initiative to reduced launch costs and enhanced payload efficiency. In the future, they envision expanding operations into the “cislunar” economy, the region between Earth and the Moon—a step that underscores the UAE’s broader vision in space and digital infrastructure.
Backing from the Mohammed bin Rashid Innovation Fund enhances Madari Space’s strategic position. Operated within one of the UAE’s space economic zones, the company enjoys benefits like specific permits, access to laboratories, and accelerator programs. Its target audience includes satellite operators, governments, and large corporations needing secure, off-Earth data processing and storage. These entities can leverage real-time analytics for critical applications, including satellite collision avoidance.
This initiative aligns with the UAE’s emergence as a significant data infrastructure hub, already home to key players like Khazna and the upcoming UAE Stargate project. Supported by US tech giants Nvidia, Cisco, Oracle, and OpenAI, UAE Stargate plans to develop a sophisticated AI data center project in Abu Dhabi, echoing the parallel US Stargate initiative.
Nvidia is set to supply its latest Blackwell GB300 systems for UAE Stargate, aimed at synchronizing with US efforts. Meanwhile, Emirati tech firm G42, aligned with these global giants, actively expands its influence. G42’s international strides span AI investments across Asia, Africa, and the US, augmented by financial backing linked to the country’s oil reserves.
