Abu Dhabi-based startup Madari Space is preparing for its first mission to place a data centre in low-Earth orbit, with the launch planned for Q3 2026. Founder and CEO told Bloomberg TV that the mission, developed in collaboration with the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre and the UN Office for Outer Space Affairs, will serve as a proof of concept to showcase the company’s ability to store and process data in space.
Al Romaithi highlighted the strategic benefits of operating from the UAE, where support from the national space agency and other government entities will help accelerate commercial deployment. He also underscored the environmental advantages of moving data storage off-planet, noting that terrestrial data centres are among the most energy-intensive facilities on Earth, with carbon emissions exceeding those of the aviation industry — a challenge amplified by the growing demands of artificial intelligence infrastructure.
By leveraging low-Earth orbit, Madari Space aims to develop sustainable and secure solutions to manage the surge in data generated both on Earth and in space. The company sees the mission as an opportunity to de-risk operations and refine its technology before expanding into deeper space and engaging in the emerging cislunar economy between Earth and the Moon.
Initially, Madari Space will focus on serving Earth observation operators and other space-based enterprises that produce large volumes of data in orbit.
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