Emirates SkyCargo has completed the transport of Altair-1, the UAE’s first commercial AI-enabled earth observation satellite. Part of Orbitworks’ Altair constellation, the movement of the satellite highilghts a landmark achievement in the UAE’s vision to become a global leader in space and advanced technologies. Altair-1 was flown on an Emirates SkyCargo Boeing 777 freighter aircraft from Dubai (DWC) airport to Los Angeles (LAX) ahead of its scheduled launch in October 2026.
Altair is a multi-sensor satellite constellation developed and manufactured in the UAE by Orbitworks. The system is equipped with optical, infrared, thermal and RF sensing capabilities and onboard AI processing. With advanced imaging payloads, optimised orbital design, frequent revisit rates and consistent data acquisition, Altair will provide analysis-ready intelligence for applications including environmental monitoring, disaster response, land and coastal-use analysis, maritime domain awareness, and resource and infrastructure assessment. The satellite transported by Emirates SkyCargo is the first of 10 that will form the Altair constellation.
The transportation of Altair highlights Emirates SkyCargo’s expertise in flying highly sensitive and specialised cargo under its Aerospace and Engineering vertical. A dedicated Emirates SkyCargo team managed the end to end transport of the satellite, maintaining rigorous environmental and safety controls and delivering on schedule.
Badr Abbas, Divisional Senior Vice President, Emirates SkyCargo said: “Emirates SkyCargo is proud to support Orbitworks at this significant moment and contribute to the UAE’s growing reputation as a global hub for innovation, advanced technologies and specialised logistics. Transporting highly sensitive and technologically advanced cargo requires precision and expertise and we are well positioned through decades of deep expertise to support this critical mission. The movement of Altair-1 from the UAE to the United States ahead of its launch also underlines the role of specialised air cargo solutions in supporting the global aerospace sector.”
Schahan Sediqi, General Manager, Orbitworks said: “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. We could not have reached this point without in-country partners like Emirates SkyCargo, whose care and expertise got Altair safely from Dubai to Los Angeles. We are incredibly proud of what our team has built, and we now look forward to October, when Altair-1 will launch into orbit and begin its mission.”
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