First UAE-Made Liquid Rocket Engine Roars to Life; 'Small Engine, Big Step' for Team

Technology & Innovation

First UAE-Made Liquid Rocket Engine Roars to Life; 'Small Engine, Big Step' for Team

The UAE marked a milestone in its space ambitions as the nation’s first liquid rocket engine, designed and built entirely in Abu Dhabi, successfully roared to life during tests in the UK. Developed by the Technology Innovation Institute (TII), the 250-newton engine reached 94% combustion efficiency, a performance typically associated with established space programs.

Dr. Elias Tsoutsanis, chief researcher at TII’s Propulsion and Space Research Centre, described the moment as unforgettable:

“When the countdown reached zero, everyone stopped breathing. For the engineers, especially the Emirati team members, it was a source of pride and validation.”

Nearly half of the core team consisted of Emirati engineers responsible for thermal and structural simulations, injector design, and testing protocols. “Seeing our own design ignite is something we’ll never forget,” said one Emirati engineer.

Engine Specifications and Significance

The 250-newton thruster can lift up to 25kg on Earth and is suitable for small satellite propulsion, orbital adjustments, and maintaining spacecraft stability. With this development, the UAE joins a select group of nations — including the US, China, Russia, India, Japan, and ESA members — with verified liquid propulsion design capabilities.

Overcoming Infrastructure Challenges

A major hurdle was the lack of local testing facilities. The team built custom cold-flow rigs in Abu Dhabi and conducted hot-fire trials in the UK with Airborne Engineering. Dr. Tsoutsanis emphasized that deploying these testing systems abroad was critical to achieving successful engine performance.

A static-fire test rig is under construction in Abu Dhabi, expected to be completed in 2026, which will support engines up to five times more powerful. The first firing of a 1-kilonewton-class engine on Emirati soil is planned for later that year.

Future Roadmap

Following this success, TII plans to scale propulsion systems, develop cryogenic engines, and expand research into orbital and deep-space technologies. Dr. Najwa Aaraj, CEO of TII, stated:

“This engine is more than a technical success — it is the start of a capability that will enable the UAE to design, test, and deploy propulsion systems for future missions.”

For the engineers involved, the project represents the culmination of years of design, simulation, and problem-solving. “It’s a small engine by global standards, but for us, it’s the first step in something much larger,” said an Emirati researcher.