Orbitworks’ Ralph Koyess on the firm’s goal to deliver sovereign satellite capabilities

Launched in 2024 as a joint venture between Marlan Space and Loft Orbital, Orbitworks represents a new chapter in the UAE’s space ambitions. With a 30,000-square-foot facility in Abu Dhabi’s KEZAD industrial zone, the company is building one of the region’s most advanced satellite manufacturing hubs — capable of producing up to 50 satellites annually.

In its debut public appearance at the Make it in the Emirates Forum, Orbitworks unveiled Altair, an AI-powered Earth observation constellation designed and built in the UAE.

Here, Ralph Koyess, business development director at Orbitworks, shares how the venture is fusing global expertise with national priorities to deliver sovereign satellite capabilities, drive industrial growth, and create a new generation of space-ready talent.

Tell us about the company and its journey.

Orbitworks was established in 2024 to build a homegrown satellite manufacturing capability that serves national priorities and supports regional needs. We were formed as a joint venture between Marlan Space and Loft Orbital, combining global engineering heritage with a UAE-led vision of sovereign space infrastructure.

Our facility in KEZAD spans 30,000 square feet and includes a 15,000-square-foot ISO-class cleanroom. It’s one of the largest dedicated satellite manufacturing sites in the region and is equipped to deliver up to 50 satellites annually.

What matters is not just the infrastructure, but what it enables. Orbitworks gives the UAE the ability to design, produce, and scale space missions on its own terms quickly, reliably, and with full operational oversight.

Can you elaborate on the major manufacturing announcement Orbitworks unveiled at the Make it in the Emirates Forum, and how it aligns with your goal of producing up to 50 satellites annually?

We’re excited to unveil Altair, our first Earth observation constellation. Altair consists of 10 AI-powered satellites designed for multi-mission use. Production will begin at our Kezad facility in the second half of 2025, with the launches planned for 2026.

Altair is named after a prominent star in the Aquila constellation, historically used for navigation because of its brightness and clarity. It’s also derived from the Arabic word “النسر الطائر  ” meaning “the flying eagle.” For Orbitworks, the name symbolises clear vision, precision, and reliability, which are core principles of our satellites.

The Altair programme is a direct expression of what our facility was built to deliver: satellites with advanced sensing, onboard AI processing, and rapid deployment timelines. Every aspect of our production model, from cleanroom design to thermal and EMI testing, has been set up to meet the demands of mission-grade satellite manufacturing at volume.

As we scale, Altair will be the first of several programs to leverage this infrastructure. It sets the tone for how we intend to meet our 50-unit-per-year production goal: through a steady pipeline of flexible, high-performance satellite systems delivered from the UAE.

How does Orbitworks plan to integrate advanced technologies into its satellite production processes, and what distinguishes your approach from other manufacturers in the region?

Our satellites are built with flexibility in mind. Each platform is modular and designed to accommodate a range of payloads, allowing us to tailor systems to specific missions without disrupting production timelines.

The Altair satellites carry a multi-sensor payload that includes sub-metre optical, thermal, hyperspectral, shortwave infrared, and RF sensors. They also feature onboard AI processing, which allows them to analyze data in orbit. This makes them well-suited for time-sensitive applications like disaster response, national security, and resource monitoring.

Our manufacturing approach combines proven global engineering standards with a localized production setup in Abu Dhabi. This gives customers access to high-performance satellite systems that are built closer to the region they serve and aligned with regulatory, operational, and strategic requirements.

In what ways is Orbitworks contributing to the UAE’s broader economic diversification and industrialisation goals, particularly within the space sector?

Orbitworks supports the UAE’s efforts to diversify its economy through investment in advanced, knowledge-based industries. By building satellites locally, we are adding new depth to the space sector and creating pathways for industrial growth in high-value areas such as manufacturing, data services, and aerospace R&D.

Our operations contribute to the objectives of both Operation 300bn and the UAE National Space Strategy 2030. We are creating jobs, developing local talent, and fostering technical capabilities that reduce dependency on imported systems.

Our work also further strengthens the UAE’s ability to respond to strategic needs with locally built infrastructure. This reinforces the resilience to national planning while generating opportunities for export and collaboration.

How does Orbitworks’ participation in the Make it in the Emirates Forum enhance your strategic objectives, and what outcomes do you anticipate from this engagement?

Make it in the Emirates is actually our first public appearance since the company was established, and it’s taking place at a moment when the UAE’s space sector is gaining global attention. The forum provides an ideal setting to introduce Altair, our first satellite constellation, and to demonstrate the infrastructure we’ve built to support it.

Our presence at the IHC Pavilion reflects our intent to engage deeply with industrial stakeholders, national institutions, and international partners. More broadly, this forum gives us the opportunity to support the UAE’s ambition to become a global leader in aerospace. Our work in designing and building customized satellite constellations from Abu Dhabi directly reinforces that ambition.

We also see this event as a catalyst for new partnerships. Whether through hosted payloads, collaborative missions, or regional data-sharing frameworks, our objective is to show how Orbitworks can serve as a strategic partner for both government and commercial space users across the region.

With the first satellite platform expected to be assembled by early 2025, what are Orbitworks’ plans for workforce development and talent acquisition to support this timeline?

Developing satellite manufacturing capability in the UAE is as much about people as it is about infrastructure. Since our founding, we have been focused on building a team that can deliver mission-ready systems to global standards, starting with the Altair constellation.

Our approach places Emirati talent at the centre of this effort. Engineers and technicians are already being trained at our KEZAD facility, working closely with senior specialists to gain practical experience in cleanroom operations, payload integration, and system testing. This effort is led by Mohamed Alkarbi Mohamed, our director of Assembly, Integration, and Testing, who is responsible for overseeing both production readiness and team development.

We’re also working closely with leading UAE academic and research institutions to support specialised internships, joint research projects, and tailored training programs. These initiatives are designed to create clear pathways into the space sector and help bridge the gap between classroom learning and industrial application.

We know that building satellites here in the UAE is a long-term effort. That’s why we’re investing in a workforce that can carry these capabilities forward and help shape what comes after Altair.