{"id":134771,"date":"2025-11-11T22:45:09","date_gmt":"2025-11-11T22:45:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/134771\/"},"modified":"2025-11-11T22:45:09","modified_gmt":"2025-11-11T22:45:09","slug":"abu-dhabi-reaches-for-the-stars-with-launch-of-space-site-that-can-produce-50-satellites-a-year","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/134771\/","title":{"rendered":"Abu Dhabi reaches for the stars with launch of space site that can produce 50 satellites a year"},"content":{"rendered":"

A space manufacturing facility capable of producing 50 satellites<\/a> a year has opened in Abu Dhabi<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Orbitworks, a company formed as a partnership between Abu Dhabi’s Marlan Space and San Francisco\u2019s Loft Orbital, has opened a satellite assembly, integration and testing centre in the emirate’s Kezad economic zone.<\/p>\n

The factory could help the country produce satellites that can be sold to clients locally and around the world, rather than relying on imports.<\/p>\n

Dr Hamdullah Mohib, acting chief executive of Orbitworks and chief executive of Marlan Space, said the goal was to become a leading exporter to \u201cgovernments and commercial clients\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur focus, when we set up this facility, was to be a large, commercially driven entity,” he added.<\/p>\n

The facility spans 4,645 square metres and currently handles satellites weighing up to 500kg. \u201cIt has been the ambition for many in this region to try to build a capability like this,\u201d Dr Mohib said. \u201cIt’s very much needed because the space race is growing and the need for these satellites is increasing. <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat we are unveiling is an enabler for our future growth in the UAE and offering solutions [so we no longer have to] import from other countries.\u201d<\/p>\n

Creating jobs <\/p>\n

Dr Mohib said the project is already creating jobs and opportunities for Emiratis and foreign residents. There are 35 people employed so far and that will rise to 53 by the end of this year.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are creating very high-level, high-tech jobs,\u201d he added. \u201cThey are not jobs for ordinary factory workers. They are very high-skilled jobs and will have a significant impact on the economy. <\/p>\n

\u201cWe are also training Emirati staff so that knowledge-transfer takes place over the next few years. Our first employee was an Emirati. We will continue to grow.\u201d<\/p>\n

Altair constellation<\/p>\n

Orbitworks is also developing its own satellite constellation called Altair, which translates from Arabic to “the flying one”. It will initially be made up of 10 satellites designed to provide near real-time Earth observation intelligence.<\/p>\n

Each satellite integrates optical, infrared, thermal and radio frequency sensors with on-board AI processing. When the sensors detect activity of interest, the satellites automatically capture detailed imagery and process it into immediate information that clients can use. <\/p>\n

\u201cThese multiple sensors can turn the satellites into information providers, not just image takers,\u201d explained Dr Mohib.<\/p>\n

He said the information could be valuable to companies like Adnoc, which could monitor facilities including pipelines, storage and oil rigs at sea and onshore.<\/p>\n

\u201cInstead of taking pictures and sending them every hour, the satellite could see if there is a leak or damage to any of the installations,\u201d said Dr Mohib. The information would be relayed immediately, he added.<\/p>\n

He believes the system could also be useful in agriculture, climate monitoring, maritime logistics and disaster response. The first of the 10 satellites in the constellation is expected to be ready by the second half of next year.<\/p>\n

Dr Mohib said the new company is combining the \u201cspeed and mindset of a start-up\u201d with the resources and long-term vision of the UAE. <\/p>\n

\u201cSatellites are usually built over a period of 18 months to three years,\u201d he said. \u201cWe have not only built the facility, but also a team, and we have started designing and engineering our first constellation.\u201d<\/p>\n

The project has already drawn international interest and a western European client has already been secured. <\/p>\n

The launch event on Tuesday was attended by members of the UAE space community, including the UAE Space Agency, Space42 and the Edge Group, as well as Emirati astronauts Nora Al Matrooshi and Mohammad Al Mulla.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis project supports efforts to build a sustainable space economy based on knowledge and innovation and driven by advanced technology,\u201d said Dr Ahmad Al Falasi, chairman of the UAE Space Agency. \u201cIt also underscores the growing role of the national private sector in advancing the UAE\u2019s vision to establish a world-class, integrated and pioneering space industry.\u201d<\/p>\n

The specs<\/p>\n

Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
Power: 620hp from 5,750-7,500rpm
Torque: 760Nm from 3,000-5,750rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed dual-clutch auto
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh1.05 million ($286,000)<\/p>\n

The%20US%20Congress%20explained<\/p>\n

%3Cp%3E-%20Congress%20is%20one%20of%20three%20branches%20of%20the%20US%20government%2C%20and%20the%20one%20that%20creates%20the%20nation’s%20federal%20laws%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E-%20Congress%20is%20divided%20into%20two%20chambers%3A%20The%20House%20of%20Representatives%20and%20the%20Senate%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E-%C2%A0The%20House%20is%20made%20up%20of%20435%20members%20based%20on%20a%20state’s%20population.%20House%20members%20are%20up%20for%20election%20every%20two%20years%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E-%20A%20bill%20must%20be%20approved%20by%20both%20the%20House%20and%20Senate%20before%20it%20goes%20to%20the%20president’s%20desk%20for%20signature%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E-%20A%20political%20party%20needs%20218%20seats%20to%20be%20in%20control%20of%20the%20House%20of%20Representatives%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E-%20The%20Senate%20is%20comprised%20of%20100%20members%2C%20with%20each%20state%20receiving%20two%20senators.%20Senate%20members%20serve%20six-year%20terms%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E-%20A%20political%20party%20needs%2051%20seats%20to%20control%20the%20Senate.%20In%20the%20case%20of%20a%2050-50%20tie%2C%20the%20party%20of%20the%20president%20controls%20the%20Senate%3C%2Fp%3E%0A<\/p>\n

Where to buy<\/p>\n

Limited-edition art prints of The Sofa Series: Sultani can be acquired from Reem El Mutwalli at www.reemelmutwalli.com<\/a><\/p>\n

HIJRA<\/p>\n

Starring:\u00a0Lamar Faden, Khairiah Nathmy, Nawaf Al-Dhufairy<\/p>\n

Director: Shahad Ameen<\/p>\n

Rating: 3\/5<\/p>\n

Mobile phone packages comparison<\/p>\n

COMPANY%20PROFILE<\/p>\n

%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%203S%20Money%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202018%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20London%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Ivan%20Zhiznevsky%2C%20Eugene%20Dugaev%20and%20Andrei%20Dikouchine%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20FinTech%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%245.6%20million%20raised%20in%20total%3C%2Fp%3E%0A<\/p>\n

Company profile<\/p>\n

Company name: Suraasa<\/p>\n

Started: 2018<\/p>\n

Founders: Rishabh Khanna, Ankit Khanna and Sahil Makker<\/p>\n

Based: India, UAE and the UK<\/p>\n

Industry: EdTech<\/p>\n

Initial investment: More than $200,000 in seed funding<\/p>\n

Essentials<\/p>\n

The flights
Etihad<\/a>\u00a0and Emirates<\/a> fly direct from the UAE to Delhi from about Dh950 return including taxes.
The hotels
Double rooms at Tijara Fort-Palace<\/a> cost from 6,670 rupees (Dh377), including breakfast.
Doubles at Fort Bishangarh<\/a>\u00a0cost from 29,030 rupees (Dh1,641), including breakfast. Doubles at Narendra Bhawan<\/a>\u00a0cost from 15,360 rupees (Dh869). Doubles at Chanoud Garh<\/a> cost from 19,840 rupees (Dh1,122), full board. Doubles at Fort Begu<\/a>\u00a0cost from 10,000 rupees (Dh565), including breakfast.
The tours\u00a0
Amar Grover travelled with Wild Frontiers<\/a>. A tailor-made, nine-day itinerary via New Delhi, with one night in Tijara and two nights in each of the remaining properties, including car\/driver, costs from \u00a31,445 (Dh6,968) per person.<\/p>\n

South Africa squad<\/p>\n

Faf du Plessis (captain), Hashim Amla, Temba Bavuma, Quinton de Kock (wicketkeeper), Theunis de Bruyn, AB de Villiers, Dean Elgar, Heinrich Klaasen (wicketkeeper), Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Morne Morkel, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Vernon Philander and Kagiso Rabada.<\/p>\n

Results<\/p>\n

5pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 1,600m; Winner: Nadhra, Fabrice Veron (jockey), Eric Lemartinel (trainer)<\/p>\n

5.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,400m; Winner: AF Dars, Tadhg O\u2019Shea, Ernst Oertel<\/p>\n

6pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,400m; Winner: AF Musannef, Tadhg O\u2019Shea, Ernst Oertel<\/p>\n

6.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,200m; Winner: AF Taghzel, Malin Holmberg, Ernst Oertel<\/p>\n

7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 2,200m; Winner: M\u2019Y Yaromoon, Khalifa Al Neyadi, Jesus Rosales<\/p>\n

7.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh100,000 (PA) 1,400m; Winner: Hakeem, Jim Crowley, Ali Rashid Al Raihe<\/p>\n

Profile<\/p>\n

Company: Justmop.com<\/p>\n

Date started: December 2015<\/p>\n

Founders: Kerem Kuyucu and Cagatay Ozcan<\/p>\n

Sector: Technology and home services<\/p>\n

Based: Jumeirah Lake Towers, Dubai<\/p>\n

Size: 55 employees and 100,000\u00a0cleaning requests a month<\/p>\n

Funding: \u00a0The company\u2019s investors include Collective Spark, Faith Capital Holding, Oak\u00a0Capital, VentureFriends, and 500 Startups.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Groom and Two Brides<\/p>\n

Director: Elie Semaan<\/p>\n

Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla<\/p>\n

Rating: 3\/5<\/p>\n

Explainer: Tanween Design Programme<\/p>\n

Non-profit arts studio Tashkeel launched this annual initiative with the intention of supporting budding designers in the UAE. This year, three talents were chosen from hundreds of applicants to be a part of the sixth creative development programme. These are architect Abdulla Al Mulla, interior designer Lana El Samman and graphic designer Yara Habib.<\/p>\n

The trio have been guided by experts from the industry over the course of nine months, as they developed their own products that merge their unique styles with traditional elements of Emirati design. This includes laboratory sessions, experimental and collaborative practice, investigation of new business models and evaluation.<\/p>\n

It is led by British contemporary design project specialist Helen Voce and mentor Kevin Badni, and offers participants access to experts from across the world, including the likes of UK designer Gareth Neal and multidisciplinary designer and entrepreneur, Sheikh Salem Al Qassimi.<\/p>\n

The final pieces are being revealed in a worldwide limited-edition release on the first day of Downtown Designs at Dubai Design Week 2019. Tashkeel will be at stand E31 at the exhibition.<\/p>\n

Lisa Ball-Lechgar, deputy director of Tashkeel, said: \u201cThe diversity and calibre of the applicants this year \u2026 is reflective of the dynamic change that the UAE art and design industry is witnessing, with young creators resolute in making their bold design ideas a reality.\u201d<\/p>\n

‘The\u00a0Last\u00a0Days\u00a0of\u00a0Ptolemy\u00a0Grey’<\/p>\n

Rating:\u00a03\/5<\/p>\n

Directors:\u00a0Ramin\u00a0Bahrani,\u00a0Debbie\u00a0Allen,\u00a0Hanelle\u00a0Culpepper,\u00a0Guillermo\u00a0Navarro<\/p>\n

Writers:\u00a0Walter\u00a0Mosley<\/p>\n

Stars:\u00a0Samuel\u00a0L\u00a0Jackson,\u00a0Dominique\u00a0Fishback,\u00a0Walton\u00a0Goggins<\/p>\n

The Vile<\/p>\n

Starring:\u00a0Bdoor Mohammad, Jasem Alkharraz, Iman Tarik, Sarah Taibah<\/p>\n

Director: Majid Al Ansari<\/p>\n

Rating: 4\/5<\/p>\n

The stats<\/p>\n

Ship name: MSC Bellissima<\/p>\n

Ship class: Meraviglia Class<\/p>\n

Delivery date: February 27, 2019<\/p>\n

Gross tonnage: 171,598 GT<\/p>\n

Passenger capacity: 5,686<\/p>\n

Crew members: 1,536<\/p>\n

Number of cabins: 2,217<\/p>\n

Length: 315.3 metres<\/p>\n

Maximum speed: 22.7 knots (42kph)<\/p>\n

The Sand Castle <\/p>\n

Director: Matty Brown<\/p>\n

Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea<\/p>\n

Rating: 2.5\/5<\/p>\n

West Asia Premiership<\/p>\n

Dubai Hurricanes 58-10 Dubai Knights Eagles<\/p>\n

Dubai Tigers 5-39 Bahrain<\/p>\n

Jebel Ali Dragons 16-56 Abu Dhabi Harlequins<\/p>\n

MATCH INFO<\/p>\n

South Africa 66 (Tries: De Allende, Nkosi, Reinach (3), Gelant, Steyn, Brits, Willemse; Cons: Jantjies 8)\u00a0<\/p>\n

Canada 7 (Tries: Heaton; Cons: Nelson)<\/p>\n

Evacuations to France hit by controversy
\nOver 500 Gazans have been evacuated to France since November 2023
\nEvacuations were paused after a student already in France posted anti-Semitic content and was subsequently expelled to Qatar
\nThe Foreign Ministry launched a review to determine how authorities failed to detect the posts before her entry
\nArtists and researchers fall under a programme called Pause that began in 2017
\nIt has benefited more than 700 people from 44 countries, including Syria, Turkey, Iran, and Sudan
\nSince the start of the Gaza war, it has also included 45 Gazan beneficiaries
\nUnlike students, they are allowed to bring their families to France
\nThe bio<\/p>\n

Favourite food: Japanese<\/p>\n

Favourite car: Lamborghini<\/p>\n

Favourite hobby: Football<\/p>\n

Favourite quote: If your dreams don\u2019t scare you, they are not big enough<\/p>\n

Favourite country: UAE<\/p>\n

The Dark Blue Winter Overcoat & Other Stories From the North
Edited and Introduced by Sj\u00f3n and Ted Hodgkinson
Pushkin Press\u00a0<\/p>\n

The burning issue<\/p>\n

The\u00a0internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment \u2013\u00a0major manufacturer\u00a0Volvo\u00a0is to stop\u00a0producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021\u00a0and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040.\u00a0The National\u00a0takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Read part four:\u00a0an affection for classic cars lives on<\/a><\/p>\n

Read part three:\u00a0the age of the electric vehicle begins<\/a><\/p>\n

Read part one:\u00a0how cars came to the UAE<\/a><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Tips for job-seekers
\n\tDo not submit your application through the Easy Apply button on LinkedIn. Employers receive between 600 and 800 replies for each job advert on the platform. If you are the right fit for a job, connect to a relevant person in the company on LinkedIn and send them a direct message.
\n\tMake sure you are an exact fit for the job advertised. If you are an HR manager with five years\u2019 experience in retail and the job requires a\u00a0similar candidate with five years\u2019 experience in consumer, you should apply. But if you have no experience in HR, do not apply for the job.<\/p>\n

David Mackenzie, founder of recruitment agency Mackenzie Jones Middle East<\/p>\n

Real estate tokenisation project<\/p>\n

Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.<\/p>\n

The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.<\/p>\n

Dubai\u2019s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate\u2019s total property transactions, according to the DLD.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"A space manufacturing facility capable of producing 50 satellites a year has opened in Abu Dhabi. Orbitworks, a…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":134772,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[23],"tags":[4420,61,60,82,247,1284,329,3314,4969],"class_list":{"0":"post-134771","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-space","8":"tag-abu-dhabi","9":"tag-ie","10":"tag-ireland","11":"tag-science","12":"tag-space","13":"tag-standard","14":"tag-story","15":"tag-uae","16":"tag-uae-desk-team"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/134771","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=134771"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/134771\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/134772"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=134771"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=134771"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=134771"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}