In a landmark breakthrough for the UAE’s growing space ambitions, a team of researchers in Abu Dhabi has successfully designed, built, and test-fired a liquid rocket engine — a key step toward powering future satellites, lunar landers, and even Mars missions.
The project, led by engineers at the Technology Innovation Institute (TII), marks a defining moment in the nation’s efforts to establish itself as a regional hub for spacecraft design, testing, and propulsion technology.
This isn’t just another scientific milestone — it’s a statement of intent from a country steadily charting its course among global space powers.
A Milestone Born from Innovation and Determination
The 250-newton liquid rocket engine — roughly powerful enough to lift 25 kilograms on Earth — was developed over a 12-month period by a dedicated team at TII’s Propulsion Research Centre.
Speaking to The National, Dr. Elias Tsoutsanis, Chief Researcher at the centre, described the journey as “an enormous challenge,” especially since this was the UAE’s first liquid rocket programme.
“One of our biggest hurdles was the lack of testing infrastructure — from cold flow benches to hot-fire test systems — needed to validate the engine’s injectors, combustion chambers, and ignition systems,” said Dr. Tsoutsanis.
With limited facilities in the region, the team had to think creatively. They built their own portable testing rig from scratch, allowing rapid experimentation. For official hot-fire validation, TII collaborated with the UK’s Airborne Engineering, enabling over 50 successful test firings.
“Through custom-built equipment and international collaboration, we reached 94% combustion efficiency with zero test failures,” Dr. Tsoutsanis added. “That’s a remarkable outcome for a first-of-its-kind engine in the UAE.”
Building a Space Propulsion Ecosystem in the Gulf
The achievement also highlights a broader issue facing the region’s emerging aerospace sector — the absence of local propulsion test infrastructure.
Other companies, such as Dubai-based Leap 71, which develops 3D-printed rocket engines, have also had to test their systems abroad due to the same limitation.
Now, TII’s efforts to develop a permanent test-fire facility in Abu Dhabi could change that. Once complete, it will allow the UAE — and potentially other Gulf nations — to test rocket engines domestically, cutting costs and accelerating innovation timelines.
This step positions Abu Dhabi as a future regional hub for space propulsion research, aligning with the UAE’s long-term vision to expand its space industry under national initiatives like the UAE Space Agency and the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC).
A Greener, Safer Choice of Propellant
The Abu Dhabi team also broke new ground in sustainability by choosing green propellants over traditional hydrazine, a substance known for its high toxicity and complex handling requirements.
“From the outset, we wanted a solution that was high-performing and sustainable,” said Dr. Tsoutsanis. “Our storable green propellants are safer, less environmentally damaging, and can be stored for long durations both on Earth and in orbit.”
This approach aligns with the UAE’s national sustainability goals, ensuring that future space missions adhere to safe and environmentally responsible standards.
From Earth Orbit to the Red Planet
While the 250-newton thruster is compact, its applications are vast.
According to Dr. Tsoutsanis, the engine can be used for:
- Satellite operations — including orbit correction and station-keeping
- Precision manoeuvres for planetary exploration
- Soft landings on the Moon or Mars, where accurate thrust control is crucial
“Over the next decade, we expect this class of engine to enable lunar and even Mars-related missions,” he said.
The UAE already has significant space experience — from the Hope Probe’s successful Mars orbit to the upcoming Rashid 2 lunar rover mission, which will launch on a US-made lander by Firefly Aerospace. But this time, Abu Dhabi’s homegrown technology could eventually be what powers those missions.
Scaling Up: From Prototype to Launch-Ready
The next phase for TII’s propulsion program is scaling up. The institute is already developing a one-kilonewton-class engine, featuring regenerative cooling — a design where fuel circulates around the engine’s walls to prevent overheating, enabling longer and more efficient burns.
Further down the line, the team aims to build cryogenic propulsion systems — using liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen — to support the UAE’s future launch vehicle programs.
“Independent and frequent access to space is a strategic goal,” noted Dr. Tsoutsanis. “Liquid propulsion is central to achieving it. This milestone is proof that the UAE has both the vision and the talent to get there.”
The Bigger Picture: UAE’s Role in the New Space Economy
The successful rocket test reflects the UAE’s broader drive to be a leader in the global New Space Economy — an arena once dominated by superpowers but now increasingly shaped by agile, innovation-driven nations.
From AI-designed satellites to private-sector partnerships in space manufacturing, Abu Dhabi and Dubai are investing heavily in technologies that will define the next generation of space exploration.
The TII rocket engine test is more than a scientific success — it’s a symbol of Gulf ingenuity, a testament to how far the region has come in transforming ambition into achievement.
As the UAE looks toward its 2026 Moon mission and beyond, Abu Dhabi’s engineers have already lit the spark that could power the nation’s next great leap — this time, not just to orbit, but perhaps one day, to Mars itself.
