Kongsberg NanoAvionics expands in the UAE and partners with MBRSC to develop five CubeSats for future PHI missions

The company is also collaborating with the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) to develop five 12U CubeSats for future missions under the Centre’s Payload Hosting Initiative (PHI) programme in partnership with the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA).

The new Dubai branch, an addition to NanoAvionics’ existing operations in Lithuania, the USA and the UK, will enable integration and testing of satellites in partnership with MBRSC at their facilities as soon as next year.

The tailored 12U satellites will be delivered individually from 2026 to 2030. They will support PHI’s upcoming missions, which provide countries and institutions worldwide with the opportunity to test innovative technologies in orbit. According to MBRSC, the Payload Hosting Initiative represents a defining milestone in the UAE’s efforts to democratise access to space and strengthen international cooperation in science and technology.

The contract with MBRSC signifies a continuation of developments based on NanoAvionics previous partnerships with and successfully executed missions for the UAE's governmental and research institutions. One example is DEWA’s (Dubai Electricity and Water Authority) signed agreement with NanoAvionics to provide nanosatellites to support the digitalisation of Dubai’s power and water networks.