The UAE has launched Altair-1, its first commercial AI-enabled Earth observation satellite. Orbitworks built it in Abu Dhabi, and Loft Orbital integrated it. It went up on SpaceX's Transporter-18 rideshare mission from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.
The satellite deployed, picked up a signal, and is now in commissioning. Altair-1 is the first of ten satellites in the Altair constellation, and the other nine will follow through 2027. Officials say the project supports the UAE's push to grow its space industry.
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Each Altair satellite carries five sensors: optical, shortwave infrared, thermal, hyperspectral, and radio frequency. NVIDIA chips onboard turn the data into ready-to-use analysis within minutes, while ground-based processing usually takes hours.
At full strength in 2027, the constellation should revisit any point on Earth about every four hours. It can support disaster response, maritime awareness, environmental monitoring, food security and national security.
Orbitworks CEO Hamdullah Mohib said, "A satellite built in Abu Dhabi is in orbit." He added that the UAE is no longer only a buyer of space capability but also a builder. Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, chairman of the UAE Space Agency, said the launch shows the strength of the national space sector. He linked it to the goal of becoming one of the world's ten leading space economies by 2031.
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Altair-1 was built at Orbitworks' 50,000-square-foot facility in Abu Dhabi, which opened in November 2025. It can make up to 50 satellites a year, roughly one a week. Orbitworks is a joint venture between Marlan Space and Loft Orbital.
Customers can own a satellite or buy its data as a service. Early customers include French government bodies, the Abu Dhabi Maritime Academy and the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development.
Orbitworks is also talking to buyers in North America, Africa and Asia. On September 9, Marlan Space and Loft Orbital announced a USD 1 billion group with Mistral, BlackSky and MaiaSpace. Its first phase covers 50 satellites.