By: Logistics Middle East

Emirates SkyCargo has transported Altair-1, the UAE’s first commercial AI-enabled Earth observation satellite, from Dubai World Central to Los Angeles aboard a Boeing 777 freighter ahead of its scheduled launch in October 2026.

Developed and manufactured in the UAE by Orbitworks, Altair-1 is the first of 10 satellites planned for the Altair constellation.

The system combines optical, infrared, thermal and radio frequency sensing with onboard AI processing to produce analysis-ready intelligence for environmental monitoring, disaster response, maritime awareness, land and coastal-use analysis, and infrastructure and resource assessment.

A dedicated Emirates SkyCargo team managed the end-to-end shipment under its Aerospace and Engineering product, maintaining environmental and safety controls throughout the journey from Dubai to Los Angeles.

UAE space programme

Badr Abbas, Divisional Senior Vice President, Emirates SkyCargo, stated: “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.”

Emirates SkyCargo has previously transported UAE satellites to launch locations, including Arab Satellite 813 from Dubai to a launch site near Shanghai and Khalifasat, the first satellite developed and built by UAE engineers, from Dubai to South Korea in 2018.

More than 6,000 tonnes of aerospace and advanced engineering cargo have been transported by the carrier worldwide in 2026, with Aerospace and Engineering described by Emirates SkyCargo as one of the fastest-growing specialised verticals in its portfolio.

Schahan Sediqi, General Manager, Orbitworks, commented: “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.”

Freighter capacity

Emirates SkyCargo has increased its dedicated freighter capacity during 2026, taking delivery of six Boeing 777-F production freighters and one Boeing 777-300ERSF converted from an Emirates passenger aircraft since March.

A further four Boeing 777-F production freighters and one additional converted freighter are scheduled to join the fleet later in 2026.

The additional aircraft have supported an expansion of the carrier’s freighter network to more than 60 destinations, increasing access to main-deck capacity for shipments requiring dedicated freighter handling.

Orbitworks was established in 2024 through a partnership between Abu Dhabi-based Marlan Space and San Francisco-headquartered Loft Orbital.

Based in Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi, the company develops satellite platforms, constellations and Earth observation services and describes itself as the Middle East’s first commercial satellite manufacturer.