Orbitworks, the UAE’s satellite manufacturing venture, has unveiled Altair, a constellation of 10 Earth observation satellites that will leverage artificial intelligence. The assembly and integration of these satellites will take place in Abu Dhabi, with production expected to begin in the second half of 2025. The satellites are scheduled for launch in 2026, aimed at enhancing the UAE’s capabilities in space technology.

The Altair constellation will support various applications, including national security, disaster response, agriculture, and maritime surveillance. Each satellite will be equipped with advanced multi-sensor payloads that include optical, infrared, thermal, hyperspectral, and RF sensors. Additionally, they will feature edge computing technology to enable real-time data processing.

Built on Loft Orbital’s Longbow platform, which is derived from Airbus’ Arrow bus platform, the Altair satellites are designed for operational lifespans of up to eight years. This project aligns with the UAE’s broader strategy to become a key player in the global space industry.

The Altair constellation represents a significant milestone in the UAE’s rapidly expanding space sector, which began with the establishment of the UAE Space Agency in 2014. Over the past decade, the UAE has invested more than $5.5 billion in its space program, generating approximately 1 500 jobs across 57 space-related establishments. This investment reflects the country’s commitment to diversifying its economy beyond oil and developing high-tech industries.

Women constitute around 45% of the workforce at the UAE Space Agency, a figure that is notably higher than global averages in the aerospace sector. This highlights the role of the space industry in diversifying the UAE’s human capital development.

The announcement of the Altair constellation coincides with a dramatic 175% increase in government funding for space activities in the Middle East from 2018 to 2023. In comparison, Asia saw a 70% increase in the same period. This increasing investment is transforming the competitive landscape of the space industry, with the UAE leading regional development through achievements like the Mars Hope Probe and its astronaut program.

The global satellite manufacturing and launch market is projected to grow from $278.2 billion in 2025 to $430.8 billion by 2030, presenting significant economic opportunities for early leaders in the region, such as the UAE. With over 4 373 satellites launched worldwide from 2017 to 2022, primarily for commercial purposes, the timing of the Altair project aligns with market trends favoring smaller satellite constellations over single large satellites.

Altair’s focus on edge computing for real-time data processing reflects a broader shift in the industry towards intelligent satellite systems capable of analyzing data before it is transmitted to Earth. This approach helps address the challenges posed by the massive volume of data collected by satellites, which often requires extensive processing infrastructure and can introduce latency that limits its usefulness for time-sensitive applications.

AI-enabled satellites are revolutionizing various fields, including disaster response, environmental monitoring, and resource management, by delivering actionable insights more rapidly than traditional systems. With the integration of multiple sensor types on each Altair satellite, the constellation maximizes the utility of each satellite.

As the global space industry approaches a projected valuation of $1 trillion by 2030, the convergence of AI and satellite technology is recognized as one of the highest-growth segments. This positions early movers like the UAE’s Orbitworks for a potential competitive advantage in the evolving landscape of space technology.