The UAE has officially entered a new phase of space leadership with the inauguration of Orbitworks’ state-of-the-art satellite manufacturing and integration facility in Abu Dhabi’s KEZAD economic zone—the first commercial satellite production hub of its kind in the Middle East. The facility marks the start of production for Altair, the region’s first homegrown, AI-enabled Earth-observation satellite constellation, positioning the UAE as a global player capable of designing, building, operating, and exporting advanced space technologies.
Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al-Falasi, Minister of Sports and Chairman of the UAE Space Agency, hailed the launch as a historic milestone demonstrating the maturity and competitiveness of the national space sector. He emphasised that Orbitworks strengthens the UAE’s ambition to build a sustainable, innovation-driven space economy powered by advanced manufacturing and private-sector leadership.
Orbitworks features a comprehensive end-to-end manufacturing ecosystem—including ISO-standard cleanrooms, testing chambers, thermal vacuum capabilities, vibration tables, EMI facilities, and mission simulation labs—enabling full satellite assembly, integration, and qualification under one roof. Built for modular, parallel production, the facility can manufacture up to 50 satellites per year, reducing traditional production timelines from years to months.
Beyond manufacturing, Orbitworks serves as a collaborative hub where governments, companies, and research institutions can co-locate, co-develop, and launch space missions. It provides turnkey programs, hosted payloads, rideshare opportunities, and sovereign procurement channels for sensitive technologies—offering partners a unique pathway to build space capability from Abu Dhabi.
At the heart of its mission is the Altair constellation, a 10-satellite AI-enabled fleet capable of analysing data directly in orbit. With optical, infrared, thermal, and RF sensors combined with onboard AI, Altair delivers near real-time intelligence by detecting events, capturing imagery, processing data instantly, and sending actionable insights within minutes. This next-generation capability supports national security, disaster response, climate monitoring, agriculture, maritime surveillance, and environmental protection.
Developed through a joint venture between Marlan Space (IHC) and Loft Orbital (US), Orbitworks merges regional industrial strategy with world-class satellite platform expertise. Its rapid 12-month completion reflects the UAE’s focus on building a sovereign, export-ready space industry aligned with national initiatives such as Operation 300bn and Make It in the Emirates.
With industrial-scale manufacturing capacity, advanced AI-enabled spacecraft, and global partnership opportunities, Orbitworks is set to transform the UAE into a major producer of space infrastructure—cementing its role as a bridge between East and West and a rising power in the global space economy.
