Abu Dhabi-based Maran Space, a new space company under the International Holding Company (IHC), has formed a joint venture with Loft Orbital to create Orbitworks, the Middle East’s first private space infrastructure company.
Orbitworks has reached a significant milestone in the UAE’s rapidly growing space sector, becoming the first company to build a commercial constellation of low-earth orbit (LEO) satellites. With an initial investment of more than $100 million, Orbitworks aims to build up to 50 500 kg satellites per year. Founded in 2017, Loft Orbital brings extensive expertise, technology and a strong reputation to the venture to support a wide range of missions across communications, Earth observation and scientific research.
Orbitworks plans to begin construction of a state-of-the-art facility that will employ advanced hardware, software and industrial technologies for satellite integration and testing.
Orbitworks has secured components for the first 10 satellites, with the first satellite potentially launching as early as the first quarter of 2026. Orbitworks will help realize Loft Orbital’s vision of putting any payload into orbit for any customer in the shortest time possible.
Orbitworks aims to leverage Loft’s solutions to enable seamless technology integration and partner with local component manufacturers and technology providers in the UAE.
The first satellite platform is expected to be assembled, integrated and tested by early 2025. Loft and Marlan have begun recruiting internationally and within the UAE, with a focus on hardware, software, test engineering and other aerospace engineering disciplines.
The UAE is building one of the most advanced AI ecosystems in the world, and Orbitworks is working with AI companies and research institutes to provide a simple way to deploy apps in orbit.
We have long believed in the dynamism and growth of the UAE’s space sector and are proud to play a small role in the country’s journey to becoming a space power. From the moment we first met with Marlan Space, we were excited by the company’s vision to bring large-scale manufacturing and operations of LEO satellite constellations to the UAE. We are excited to support and partner with all players in the country’s space, satellite, cloud and AI industries.
Pierre Damien Vaugeur, CEO of Loft Orbital
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