Satellite manufacturer Orbitworks, a JV between Abu Dhabi-based Marlan and US-based startup Loft Orbital, is developing a 10-satellite Earth observation (EO) constellation powered by onboard AI, according to a statement. The satellites will be fully built and integrated at Orbitworks’ 50k sqft facility in Kezad in Abu Dhabi, which ranks among the largest commercial satellite production sites globally with an annual capacity of 50 satellites.

REFRESHER- Orbitworks was launched in August 2024 as the first joint venture in the Middle East focused on mass satellite manufacturing. It is a partnership between Abu Dhabi-based deeptech investor Marlan — backed by International Holding Company (IHC) — and US-based startup Loft Orbital. IHC has committed USD 100 mn, with Marlan holding a majority stake, while Loft Orbital is supplying the production, operational, and technical framework. The JV aims to serve both domestic and international markets.

The details: The constellation will support a range of civilian and strategic applications, including national security, agriculture, disaster response, smart city planning, and maritime monitoring. Each Altair satellite will carry multi-sensor payloads and edge computing for real-time in-orbit data processing. The fleet is based on Loft Orbital’s Longbow platform, a modular, flight-proven design that has supported over 600 missions. The satellites will be engineered to perform orbital maneuvers and operate for up to eight years.

Timeline: Production starts this July, with the satellites set for launch in 2H 2026.

The UAE’s EO ambitions extend beyond Orbitworks: In February, Space42 and Edge’s space unit Fada signed an MoU to create a JV aimed at building the country’s first sovereign EO ecosystem. The new venture will operate multi-sensor, dual-use satellites for government and commercial use, with plans to export EO solutions to emerging markets. Partial satellite manufacturing is expected this year, with full-scale production by 2026, said Hasan Al Hosani, CEO of Space42 subsidiary Bayanat Smart Solutions.

OTHER SPACE NEWS-

Space42 also extending its reach elsewhere: The firm’s subsidiary Mira Aerospace has opened MENA’s first High Altitude Platform Stations (HAPS) manufacturing facility in Abu Dhabi, according to an ADX disclosure (pdf). The 4.5k sqm center will produce over 20 HAPS unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) annually, supporting civil, environmental, and defense applications. It will also drive advanced R&D and support the commercialization of HAPS technology, the statement reads.

The launch comes as Mira ramps up its HAPS efforts: Last October, it developed two advanced payloads — one for environmental monitoring, disaster management, and urban planning and another for direct-to-device telecommunications and data relay. In February, Mira partnered with XRange to establish a permanent testing site for high-altitude UAV trials. Space42 also claims to be the first globally to demonstrate 5G connectivity from the stratosphere using heavier-than-air HAPS.

This comes as Space42 moves to scale vertically integrated manufacturing and data infrastructure. It is also targeting synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite production via a joint venture with Finnish SAR firm ICEYE, established in December. Space42 recently launched two satellites — Foresight-1 and Thuraya 4 — and kicked off the second phase of its Foresight constellation, with plans to deploy eight SAR satellites over the next three years.

Tags: