The Payload Hosting Initiative has opened its third round of applications. On 8 October 2026 the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs and the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre announced the new call. Teams worldwide can apply to send their payloads into orbit, with the deadline set for 6 April 2027. PHI‑3 will allow selected groups to mount their experiments on a satellite built and operated by MBRSC. By using an existing spacecraft, participants can concentrate on their payloads while gaining hands‑on experience in testing, integration, launch, operations and data analysis.
The programme is open to eligible entities such as universities, research institutes and other organisations that want to demonstrate emerging space technologies. Chosen teams join a real mission supported by MBRSC’s technical and operational capabilities, receiving guidance through every stage of the space‑flight process.
Previous missions and participating nations
The first PHI satellite launched in November 2025, carrying a technology demonstration from the Bahrain Space Agency and another payload from the nonprofit Antarikchya Pratisthan Nepal that tested communication technology in orbit. Those early experiments proved the model could deliver valuable data while keeping costs manageable. Following that, PHI‑2 selected teams from the Republic of Moldova and the United Arab Emirates. Their participation highlighted how the initiative helps emerging space nations build practical expertise and expand their national space activities.
“PHI reflects our shared vision with UNOOSA to expand access to space and create meaningful opportunities for emerging space entities and nations to participate directly in real missions.” — Salem Humaid AlMarri, Director General, MBRSC
Application process and next steps
Applications will be evaluated jointly by UNOOSA and MBRSC, with awardees chosen based on technical merit and relevance to emerging space capabilities. Interested parties must submit their proposals through the official PHI portal before the 6 April 2027 cutoff. Selected teams will benefit from MBRSC’s satellite development expertise and UNOOSA’s capacity‑building framework, gaining knowledge that can support future missions and commercial applications. The initiative continues to lower barriers to orbit and nurture a new generation of space innovators.
Source: https://unis.unvienna.org/unis/en/pressrels/2026/unisos614.html