Emirates SkyCargo has transported Altair-1, described as the UAE's first commercial AI-enabled earth observation satellite, from Dubai to Los Angeles ahead of its planned launch in October 2026, the airline's cargo division said Thursday.

The satellite was flown on an Emirates SkyCargo Boeing 777 freighter from Dubai World Central Airport to Los Angeles International Airport, according to a statement from Emirates. It is the first of 10 satellites planned for the Altair constellation, which Abu Dhabi-based Orbitworks is developing and manufacturing.

The Altair satellites carry optical, infrared, thermal, and radio-frequency sensors along with onboard AI processing and are intended to provide imagery and data for uses including environmental monitoring, disaster response, coastal-use analysis, maritime surveillance, and infrastructure assessment, the company said.

Emirates SkyCargo said a dedicated team managed the shipment under strict environmental and safety controls as part of its aerospace and engineering cargo unit.

"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," said Badr Abbas, Divisional Senior Vice President of Emirates SkyCargo. He added that the shipment underscored the role of specialised air cargo in supporting the global aerospace sector.

Orbitworks General Manager Schahan Sediqi called the milestone significant for both the company and the UAE's space ambitions, saying Altair-1 was "the product of hard work by an incredible team." He said the satellite is due to launch into orbit in October. 

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Orbitworks, founded in 2024 and based in the Khalifa Economic Zones, Abu Dhabi, describes itself as the Middle East's first commercial satellite manufacturer. It was formed through a partnership between Abu Dhabi-based Marlan Space and San Francisco-based Loft Orbital.

Emirates SkyCargo has previously transported other satellites, including Arab Satellite 813, to a launch site near Shanghai and, in 2018, Khalifasat—the first satellite built entirely by UAE engineers—to South Korea. The carrier said it has moved more than 6,000 tonnes of aerospace and advanced engineering cargo so far in 2026.

The airline's cargo division has also been expanding its freighter fleet, taking delivery of six Boeing 777-F freighters and one converted Boeing 777-300ERSF since March 2026, with four more 777-Fs and one additional converted freighter expected later this year. Emirates SkyCargo said its freighter network now spans more than 60 destinations.

Source: PR