{"id":128928,"date":"2025-11-12T07:40:19","date_gmt":"2025-11-12T07:40:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/128928\/"},"modified":"2025-11-12T07:40:19","modified_gmt":"2025-11-12T07:40:19","slug":"abu-dhabi-reaches-for-stars-with-factory-that-can-produce-50-satellites-a-year","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/128928\/","title":{"rendered":"Abu Dhabi reaches for stars with factory 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

Everton 1 Stoke City 0
Everton\u00a0(Rooney 45 1′)
Man of the Match\u00a0Phil Jagielka (Everton)<\/p>\n

The specs: 2018 Audi RS5<\/p>\n

Price, base: Dh359,200<\/p>\n

Engine: 2.9L\u00a0twin-turbo V6<\/p>\n

Transmission: Eight-speed automatic<\/p>\n

Power: 450hp at 5,700rpm<\/p>\n

Torque: 600Nm at 1,900rpm<\/p>\n

Fuel economy, combined: 8.7L \/ 100km<\/p>\n

Some of Darwish’s last words<\/p>\n

“They see their tomorrows slipping out of their reach. And though it seems to them that everything outside this reality is heaven, yet they do not want to go to that heaven. They stay, because they are afflicted with hope.” – Mahmoud Darwish, to attendees of the Palestine Festival of Literature, 2008<\/p>\n

His life in brief: Born in a village near Galilee, he lived in exile for most of his life and started writing poetry after high school. He was arrested several times by Israel for what were deemed to be inciteful poems. Most of his work focused on the love and yearning for his homeland, and he was regarded the Palestinian\u00a0poet of resistance. Over the course of his life, he published more than 30 poetry collections and books of prose, with his work translated into more than 20 languages. Many of his poems were set to music by Arab composers, most significantly Marcel Khalife. Darwish died on August 9, 2008 after undergoing heart surgery in the United States. He was later buried in Ramallah where a shrine was erected in his honour.<\/p>\n

if you go<\/p>\n

The flights\u00a0Fly Dubai<\/a>, Air Arabia<\/a>, Emirates<\/a>, Etihad<\/a>, and Royal Jordanian<\/a> all offer direct, three-and-a-half-hour flights from the UAE to the Jordanian capital Amman. Alternatively, from June Fly Dubai will offer a new direct service from Dubai to Aqaba in the south of the country. See the airlines\u2019 respective sites for varying prices or search on reliable price-comparison site Skyscanner<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The trip\u00a0<\/p>\n

Jamie Lafferty was a guest of the Jordan Tourist Board<\/a>. For more information on adventure tourism in Jordan see Visit Jordan<\/a>. A number of new and established tour companies offer the chance to go caving, rock-climbing, canyoning, and mountaineering in Jordan. Prices vary depending on how many activities you want to do and how many days you plan to stay in the country. Among the leaders are Terhaal<\/a>, who offer a two-day canyoning\u00a0trip from Dh845 per person. If you really want to push your limits, contact the Stronger Team<\/a>. For a more trek-focused trip,\u00a0KE Adventure offers an eight-day trip<\/a> from Dh5,300 per person.<\/p>\n

The specs<\/p>\n

AT4 Ultimate, as tested<\/p>\n

Engine: 6.2-litre V8<\/p>\n

Power: 420hp<\/p>\n

Torque: 623Nm<\/p>\n

Transmission: 10-speed automatic<\/p>\n

Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)<\/p>\n

On sale: Now<\/p>\n

The bio<\/p>\n

Studied up to grade 12 in Vatanappally, a village in India\u2019s southern Thrissur district<\/p>\n

Was a middle distance state athletics champion in\u00a0school<\/p>\n

Enjoys driving to Fujairah\u00a0and Ras Al Khaimah with family<\/p>\n

His dream is to continue working as a social worker and\u00a0help people<\/p>\n

Has seven diaries in which he has jotted\u00a0down notes about his work and money he earned<\/p>\n

Keeps the diaries in his car to remember his journey in the Emirates<\/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":128929,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[23],"tags":[1585,85,46,141,145,2865,789,1078,3177],"class_list":{"0":"post-128928","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-space","8":"tag-abu-dhabi","9":"tag-il","10":"tag-israel","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\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/128928","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=128928"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/128928\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/128929"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=128928"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=128928"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=128928"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}