UAE enters space manufacturing era with Orbitworks’ sovereign capability

UAE-based satellite manufacturing and space technology company Orbitworks inaugurated its manufacturing and integration facility in Abu Dhabi’s KEZAD economic zone, the first of its kind in the Middle East dedicated to commercial satellite production and assembly. With this opening, Orbitworks begins production of Altair, the region’s first homegrown commercial satellite constellation and the UAE’s first domestically developed, AI-enabled Earth-observation fleet. This milestone positions the UAE as a leader in the global space industry, combining advanced manufacturing capability with sovereign access, speed, and scalability. The facility marks the nation’s transition from consumer to creator, operator, and exporter of space technologies.

Minister of Sports and Chairman of the UAE Space Agency Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al-Falasi praised this landmark national achievement that enhances the UAE’s position as a leading global space hub. He noted that the inauguration of the facility represents a historic milestone that reflects the maturity of the national space sector and its evolution into a globally competitive industry.

Al-Falasi added: “This project supports efforts to build a sustainable space economy based on knowledge and innovation and driven by advanced technology. It also underscores the growing role of the national private sector in advancing the UAE’s vision to establish a world-class, integrated, and pioneering space industry.”

End-to-end manufacturing capability

The Orbitworks facility is a next-generation platform designed to accelerate development and deployment of space technologies across the region. Built for versatility, it supports everything from Earth observation and communications satellites to advanced spacecraft and specialized payloads. Equipped with cleanrooms for full spacecraft assembly and integration, the facility includes comprehensive testing infrastructure, thermal vacuum chambers, vibration table, EMI chamber, and mission simulation environments, enabling complete qualification under one roof.

Beyond its technical capabilities, Orbitworks functions as a collaborative innovation hub, offering co-location opportunities for customers seeking hands-on experience and knowledge transfer. Partners can work directly alongside engineering teams, gaining practical insight into satellite design, testing, and operations. This end-to-end production model, from design and payload integration to testing and launch preparation, compresses traditional manufacturing timelines from years to months through modular, concurrent production that enables customized, high-performance satellites with exceptional agility and cost efficiency.

“This is more than just a facility; it’s a declaration of capability,” said Dr. Hamdullah Mohib, acting chief executive of Orbitworks and CEO of Marlan Space. “It marks the UAE’s shift from consumer to creator in the global space economy. Our goal is to redefine how satellites are built: faster, smarter, and closer to where the demand is. This facility is the foundation of that vision. The Altair constellation is the start of something much larger: a new era where the UAE becomes a global producer of space infrastructure, not just a participant in it.”

The Altair constellation: satellites that think

Altair, named after the Arabic “al-ṭāʾir” meaning “the flying one,” is a 10-satellite constellation designed to provide near real-time Earth observation intelligence across multiple domains. Unlike traditional satellites that simply capture images and transmit them to ground stations for processing, Altair satellites analyze data in orbit and deliver actionable insights within minutes.

Each satellite integrates optical, infrared, thermal, and radio frequency sensors with onboard AI processing. When sensors detect activity of interest, the satellite automatically captures detailed imagery and processes it in real-time, transforming raw data into immediate intelligence.

This capability supports national security, disaster response, climate monitoring, agriculture, and maritime operations, enabling users to detect illegal deforestation, assess disaster damage, and monitor crop health for food security.

Unlike traditional Earth observation programs that require customers to build entire ground segments and operations infrastructure, Altair provides turn-key access to multi-sensor intelligence. The constellation enables governments and organizations to access sovereign satellite capability within months, as opposed to the decade-long timelines and substantial capital commitments of legacy programs.

Altair’s first launch is scheduled for 2026, and by the end of the decade, it is expected to become one of the most advanced Earth observation constellations manufactured in the Middle East.

Mohib said that Orbitworks is designed not only to serve its own constellations but also to act as a platform for others to achieve their goals.

Orbitworks is a joint venture between Abu Dhabi-based Marlan Space, a new space company affiliated with International Holding Company, and Loft Orbital, the global satellite infrastructure and mission operations leader headquartered in San Francisco. This partnership combines Marlan’s regional industrial vision and sovereign strategy with Loft Orbital’s flight-proven satellite platforms and mission heritage, creating the Middle East’s first private space infrastructure company.

Pierre-Damien Vaujour, CEO of Loft Orbital, emphasized the importance of the partnership: “The opening of the Orbitworks facility marks a key milestone in a joint vision with Marlan Space to build robust manufacturing capabilities in Abu Dhabi, fully aligned with the country’s leadership vision for the development of the space ecosystem. Completed in just 12 months, this project is a natural extension of Loft’s objective to rapidly and reliably build sovereign space capabilities in Abu Dhabi. It will leverage the strong local partners that we are proud to work with, and serve as the cornerstone to attract world-class partners from across the world in the build out of an entire ecosystem here in Abu Dhabi.

The Altair constellation, built and operated by Orbitworks, is the first AI-enabled satellite constellation and will introduce a new wave of applications to the world, reinforcing the UAE’s ever-growing global leadership in AI.”

Industrial-scale infrastructure

The KEZAD-based facility spans 50,000 square feet, including a 15,000-square-foot ISO-standard cleanroom and complete assembly, integration, and testing infrastructure. Designed for modular, parallel production, the facility can manufacture up to 50 satellites annually, approximately one per week at full capacity. This industrial-scale capability will support both Altair and international missions, establishing a new anchor for the UAE’s commercial space economy.

Mohamed Al-Khadar Al-Ahmed, CEO of KEZAD Group, said: “Orbitworks’ decision to build its facility in KEZAD reinforces Abu Dhabi’s position as an innovation and advanced manufacturing hub. This is precisely the type of investment that accelerates the UAE’s industrial strategy — pairing cutting-edge technology with world-class infrastructure to create industries of the future.”

Justin Ledbetter, executive director of Orbitworks, said: “What makes this different is not just speed, it’s ambition. We are building advanced space infrastructure for export from the UAE and for the UAE itself. We’re also building sovereign procurement channels for sensitive technologies. This facility was designed from the start to be a launchpad for space missions of all kinds.”

A platform for regional and international partners

Orbitworks is designed not only to serve its own constellations but also as a platform for global partners. Governments, companies, and research institutions will be able to design and deploy spacecraft using Orbitworks’ infrastructure, benefiting from turnkey programs, hosted payload opportunities, rideshare missions, and capacity-building partnerships, all manufactured and launched from Abu Dhabi.

The facility’s real-time data relay systems, onboard processing, and modular payload design enable satellites that can think, react, and deliver actionable insights directly from orbit, benefiting clients across communications, climate, and security sectors.

The launch event was attended by senior officials and key stakeholders from across the UAE’s space and innovation ecosystem, including representatives from the UAE Space Agency, EDGE Group, Space42, and IHC, alongside international partners and industry leaders.

Supporting national vision

With Altair at its core, Orbitworks is establishing the UAE as a bridge between East and West in the global satellite market, and creating a place where missions can be designed, assembled, and launched from a single, sovereign hub. This new manufacturing ability supports the UAE’s broader national initiatives, including Operation 300bn and Make It In The Emirates, ensuring the space sector becomes a key part of the country’s knowledge-based economy.

The facility represents a critical step in the UAE’s transition from an energy-based economy to an innovation-driven economy, creating high-tech employment, cultivating Emirati talent, and establishing export-ready capabilities in advanced space technology.

At the historic chambers of the House of Lords, London, overseas manpower firm Soundlines Global was among the recipients of the prestigious “Global Inspirational Award,” presented during the World Leaders Conclave 2025 hosted at the UK Parliament in September.
The award, organized by the World Humanitarian Foundation, honors organizations that have demonstrated measurable global impact, cross-border leadership and ethical enterprise. Soundlines was recognized for its work in deploying skilled manpower and enabling labor mobility across more than 23 countries.
At the ceremony, Soundlines Global Managing Director Supreeth M.J. emphasized the importance of ethical recruitment in building sustainable global workforces. “We believe that delivering workforce solutions means respecting labor standards, transparent contracts and worker welfare from origin to destination,” he said.
Industry analysts say the recognition reflects a broader trend in the manpower-supply sector, where compliance, ethics and global reach are increasingly required credentials. For firms working in the Gulf, Africa and Southeast Asia, the ability to mobilize workers quickly and responsibly is a key differentiator. Soundlines says its presence across 23 destinations and its in-house systems for verification and mobilization were contributing factors to the award.
While the accolade provides brand visibility, Soundlines is also using it as a platform to reinforce its commitment to “labor without exploitation, deployment without delay.” The company reports that more than 60 percent of its operations now involve multinational mobilizations for sectors such as construction, logistics, oil and gas, and other industries, with an emphasis on worker welfare and compliance checks.
The ceremony was attended by more than 300 delegates including policymakers, enterprise leaders and global recruitment specialists. Commenting on the sector implications, one market watcher said: “Manpower supply is no longer just about filling roles — it is strategic. Awards like this one reward firms that align with regulation, traceability and ethical practices.”
For Soundlines, the next steps include expanding its footprint into Eastern Europe and Central Asia, and continuing to meet the criteria that earned it the recognition in the first place.

��