UAE-built Altair-1 has successfully reached orbit, becoming the country’s first commercial satellite and the first of a planned 10-satellite AI-enabled Earth observation network.
ABU DHABI: The UAE has reached a major milestone in its commercial space ambitions with the successful launch of Altair-1, the first commercial satellite built in the country.
Developed by Abu Dhabi-based Orbitworks, Altair-1 launched aboard SpaceX’s Transporter-18 rideshare mission from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. The satellite successfully deployed, acquired a signal and has entered its commissioning phase.
Built and tested in Abu Dhabi
Altair-1 was designed, assembled, integrated and tested at Orbitworks’ facility in Abu Dhabi before being transported to the United States ahead of launch.
The satellite is the first of a planned 10-satellite Altair constellation, which will form the UAE’s first commercial AI-enabled Earth observation network. The remaining nine satellites are expected to be launched through 2027.
Orbitworks operates a 50,000-square-foot facility in Abu Dhabi that includes a large cleanroom and testing infrastructure for spacecraft weighing up to 500kg.
AI-powered Earth observation
The Altair constellation is being developed to support applications including disaster response, maritime monitoring, environmental protection, food security, infrastructure surveillance and national security.
Each satellite carries multiple sensing capabilities, including optical, infrared, thermal and radio-frequency technologies, as well as onboard AI processing designed to analyse information directly in orbit.
Once fully deployed, the constellation is expected to revisit any point on Earth approximately every four hours, enabling faster access to near-real-time observation data.
Dr Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, Chairman of the UAE Space Agency, said the achievement reflects the growing role of the private sector in strengthening the UAE’s capability to design and manufacture advanced space technologies.
Impact to expect
Altair-1 marks a shift in the UAE’s space sector from operating and purchasing satellite capabilities towards developing commercial spacecraft locally, strengthening the country’s position in the global space economy.
