Altair-1 is the first of 10 UAE-built satellites planned for an AI-powered constellation.
Dubai: The UAE’s first commercial AI-enabled Earth observation satellite has departed Dubai for the United States ahead of its planned October launch, marking another milestone for a locally developed system aimed at supporting environmental monitoring, disaster response and infrastructure assessment.
Emirates SkyCargo transported Altair-1 from Dubai World Central to Los Angeles aboard a Boeing 777 freighter. Developed and manufactured in the UAE by Orbitworks, the satellite will be the first of 10 planned for the Altair constellation.
What Altair-1 will do
The Altair constellation combines optical, infrared, thermal and radio-frequency sensors with onboard artificial intelligence capabilities.
Its imaging systems and orbital design are intended to deliver analysis-ready data for environmental monitoring, disaster response, land and coastal-use analysis, maritime awareness, and the assessment of natural 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. 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.”
Schahan Sediqi, General Manager of Orbitworks
Special handling from Dubai to Los Angeles
A dedicated Emirates SkyCargo team oversaw the satellite’s journey from start to finish, implementing the environmental and safety measures required to transport sensitive aerospace equipment.
Transporting highly sensitive and technologically advanced cargo requires precision and expertise, and we are well positioned through decades of experience to support this critical mission. The movement of Altair-1 from the UAE to the United States ahead of its launch also highlights the role of specialised air cargo solutions in supporting the global aerospace sector.
Badr Abbas, Divisional Senior Vice President at Emirates SkyCargo
Emirates SkyCargo has previously transported satellites, including Arab Satellite 813 from Dubai to its launch site near Shanghai and Khalifasat from Dubai to South Korea in 2018.
Khalifasat was the first satellite to be developed and built by UAE engineers.
Aerospace cargo volumes grow
Emirates SkyCargo said it has transported more than 6,000 tonnes of aerospace and advanced engineering cargo worldwide so far in 2026.
The carrier is also expanding its freighter fleet. Since March, it has taken delivery of six Boeing 777-F production freighters and one Boeing 777-300ERSF converted from an Emirates passenger aircraft.
A further four Boeing 777-F freighters and one additional converted freighter are expected to join the fleet later this year.
