Launch of the First Private Space Infrastructure Company in the Middle East

Abu Dhabi-based Marlan Space, a space company associated with International Holding Company (IHC), has teamed up with Loft Orbital to create Orbitworks, the Middle East’s first private space infrastructure company. Orbitworks will be the first to produce commercial low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellations in the region. With an initial investment exceeding $100 million, Orbitworks plans to manufacture up to fifty 500-kilogram satellites annually.

Orbitworks is set to construct a cutting-edge facility equipped with advanced hardware, software, and industrial technologies to integrate and test satellites. The company has already secured components for its first ten satellites, with the initial launch anticipated as early as the first quarter of 2026.

In line with its mission, Orbitworks aims to collaborate with local component manufacturers and technology providers in the UAE, utilizing Loft’s solutions for seamless integration. The first satellite platform is expected to be assembled, integrated, and tested by early 2025.

Given that the UAE has developed one of the world’s most advanced AI ecosystems, Orbitworks plans to collaborate with AI companies and research organizations, offering them a straightforward pathway to deploy their applications into orbit.

Pierre-Damien Vaujour, CEO of Loft Orbital, remarked, “We have always believed in the dynamism and growth of the UAE’s space sector, and we are proud to contribute to the country’s journey towards becoming a space powerhouse. From our first meeting with Marlan Space, we were inspired by their vision to scale the production and operations of LEO satellite constellations in the UAE. We are excited to support and collaborate with all stakeholders in the UAE’s space, satellite, cloud, and AI industries.”