PHI-1, a 12U CubeSat and the UAE’s first satellite under the Payload Hosting Initiative, launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 from Vandenberg, marking a milestone in democratizing space access.

SpaceX launched the UAE’s PHI-1 from Vandenberg, signaling a broader push to expand participation in space science and technology.

Aarti Holla-Maini of UNOOSA notes that inclusive partnerships reduce cost and risk, build skills and flight heritage, and accelerate innovation that benefits people on Earth.

Amer AlSayegh AlGhaferi of MBRSC says PHI-1 aims to cultivate an inclusive, collaborative space community that openly shares knowledge and advances humanity.

PHI-1 launches as a global in-orbit testing platform, enabling partner nations and entities to validate technologies in space, with payloads from Bahrain Space Agency, Antarikchya Pratisthan Nepal, MBRSC, and SAAST.

The mission showcases international collaboration, reflecting a diverse set of payloads that embody a worldwide approach to in-orbit technology testing.

MBRSC provided full mission assurance to ensure all subsystems and payloads met standards for successful in-orbit operation.

UNOOSA emphasizes that PHI-1 lowers costs and risks, builds flight heritage, and accelerates inclusive space innovation, while the UAE highlights its role in enabling global collaboration and hands-on space experience for researchers, engineers, and educational institutions.

PHI-1 aligns with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals by promoting Quality Education, Decent Work and Economic Growth through innovation, and Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure via broader access to space technology.

MBRSC engineered, assembled, and fully integrated PHI-1 at its Dubai facilities, with comprehensive mission assurance and data-sharing plans to support research and development.

PHI-1’s data will be received at MBRSC’s Mission Control Centre, analyzed, and distributed to participating organizations to advance research and refine technologies.

The satellite was designed, assembled, and its payloads integrated at MBRSC's Dubai facilities, with close collaboration between partner teams and MBRSC engineers.

PHI-1 stands as the first modular satellite platform under PHI, in collaboration with UNOOSA and its Access to Space for All initiative.

The mission aims to enable partner nations and organizations to test technologies in space for about one year, advancing capabilities in satellite engineering, data analysis, and real-time mission operations.

Notable payloads include Bahrain Space Agency’s AMAN for secure satellite communications testing of AES protocols; Nepal’s LoRa Satellite System; MBRSC’s New-Space Video Camera for high-definition imagery and education outreach; and SAAST’s student-designed PCB-based payload for measuring temperature and orientation.