UAE Launches Its First Private Satellite Manufacturer ‘Orbitworks’… A Signal for Its Ascent to Space Power

A satellite manufacturing plant owned by Loft Orbital in Colorado, USA. / Loft Orbital

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has opened a new chapter in the private space industry.

With the official launch of "Orbitworks," which is set to establish itself as the first private satellite manufacturer, the UAE is taking a significant step towards becoming a space power.

Orbitworks is a joint venture between Loft Orbital, a San Francisco-based aerospace company, and Marlan Space, an investment firm based in Abu Dhabi.

Notably, Marlan Space, a subsidiary of International Holding Company (IHC) owned by the Abu Dhabi royal family, effectively controls Orbitworks' management.

This joint venture represents an investment of over $100 million. With this capital, Orbitworks plans to build a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility capable of producing 50 to 500 low Earth orbit satellites annually.

The first satellite is slated for development with a launch target in the first quarter of 2026, and assembly and testing processes are expected to take place throughout 2025.

Pierre-Damien Vaujour, CEO of Loft Orbital, expressed strong confidence in the UAE's space industry, stating, "We are proud to contribute to the development of the UAE's space sector."

He also announced plans to strengthen collaboration with various sectors in the UAE, including space, satellite, cloud, and artificial intelligence industries.

The launch of Orbitworks signifies the expansion of the UAE's space industry into the private sector, marking another step forward in the nation's long-term vision of becoming a space power.