Altair-1, the first of 10 UAE-built AI-enabled Earth observation satellites, has left Dubai for the US ahead of an October launch. Emirates SkyCargo flew the satellite from Dubai World Central to Los Angeles aboard a Boeing 777 freighter.
The satellite was developed and manufactured in the UAE by Orbitworks, and will be the first in its Altair constellation. Read the Gulf News report.
What Altair-1 will do
The constellation combines optical, infrared, thermal and radio-frequency sensing with onboard AI processing. Orbitworks says the imaging systems and orbital design are intended to produce analysis-ready information for environmental monitoring, disaster response, land and coastal-use analysis, maritime awareness, and assessments of resources and infrastructure.
Altair-1 is the product of hard work by an incredible team, and today marks a historic moment, not just for Orbitworks, but for the UAE’s ambitions in space.
Schahan Sediqi, general manager of Orbitworks
A well-travelled payload
Emirates SkyCargo has carried satellites before: Arab Satellite 813 to its launch site near Shanghai, and Khalifasat to South Korea in 2018 — the first satellite developed and built by UAE engineers. The cargo arm says it has moved more than 6,000 tonnes of aerospace and advanced engineering cargo worldwide so far in 2026, and has taken delivery of seven new freighters since March, with five more due later this year.
The UAE’s satellite record keeps growing: last year brought a hyperspectral satellite that can “see” way more than photos, and Abu Dhabi is testing quantum-secure satellite links.
Transporting highly sensitive and technologically advanced cargo requires precision and expertise.
Badr Abbas, divisional senior vice president, Emirates SkyCargo
When will Altair-1 launch?
Altair-1 is scheduled to launch in October 2026, after Emirates SkyCargo flew it from Dubai World Central to Los Angeles aboard a Boeing 777 freighter.
What will Altair-1 do?
It combines optical, infrared, thermal and radio-frequency sensing with onboard AI for environmental monitoring, disaster response, maritime awareness, land analysis and infrastructure assessment.
Who built Altair-1?
Orbitworks, the UAE-based satellite manufacturer, which plans a 10-satellite Altair constellation.
