UAE’s Orbitworks reveals AI-driven Altair satellite constellation

Production to begin in the second half of 2025 and launches expected in 2026

Listen to article

Orbitworks, United Arab Emirates' satellite manufacturing firm, has revealed plans to launch Altair, a constellation of 10 AI-enabled Earth observation satellites.

The satellites will be assembled and integrated at Orbitworks’ Abu Dhabi facility, with production beginning in the second half of 2025 and launches expected in 2026, reported TechInAsia.

Each Altair satellite will carry advanced multi-sensor payloads including optical, infrared, thermal, hyperspectral, and radio frequency (RF) sensors.

They will also feature edge computing capabilities, enabling real-time data processing directly in orbit — a strategic move aimed at accelerating decision-making in critical applications such as disaster response, maritime surveillance, agriculture, and national security.

The spacecraft will be built using Loft Orbital’s Longbow platform, derived from Airbus’ Arrow bus design, and are expected to operate for up to eight years.

The Altair constellation is part of the UAE’s broader strategy to diversify its economy through investments in high-tech sectors.

The country has committed more than $5.5 billion to its space program since establishing the UAE Space Agency in 2014, creating over 1,500 jobs across 57 space-related entities.

“Altair marks a critical step in transforming the UAE from a space technology buyer to a space hardware producer,” said a spokesperson for Orbitworks.

Orbitworks’ satellite production facility can manufacture up to 50 satellites annually, positioning the UAE as a regional manufacturing hub in the global satellite supply chain.

The announcement comes as Middle Eastern government investment in space programs has surged by 175% from 2018 to 2023. The UAE, already known for its Mars Hope Probe and astronaut initiatives, continues to lead regional space efforts with an emphasis on AI, miniaturization, and real-time Earth analytics.

The global Earth observation market, especially the segment combining AI with satellite technology, is poised for exponential growth.

Industry analysts project the overall satellite manufacturing and launch market to reach $430.8 billion by 2030, up from $278.2 billion in 2025.

“The use of edge AI allows us to overcome the bottleneck of data transmission latency,” said Orbitworks’ lead systems engineer. “This will give users actionable insights much faster than traditional systems.”

Each Altair satellite will act as a versatile node in a responsive constellation designed for real-world scenarios, offering governments and commercial users near-instant access to analyzed environmental and geopolitical data.