Abu Dhabi’s Marlan Area, backed by an Emirati royal household affiliate, has partnered with a startup in a $100-million-plus deal to establish its own domestic satellite television production capabilities.
Dubai-based joint venture, the first of its kind in the United Arab Emirates, will revolutionize the region’s space industry by establishing a large-scale satellite manufacturing facility. The majority ownership lies with Marlan Area, a newly established affiliate of Worldwide Holding Corporation. The International Health Center (IHC) is primarily managed by the Royal Group, a conglomerate controlled by the sovereign rulers of Abu Dhabi, the capital emirate of the United Arab Emirates.
With its unwavering zeal for expansion and substantial financial resources at its disposal, the UAE is poised to make a significant impact on the global landscape. Although the UAE Area Company (UAESA) has been operational for less than a decade, the government has invested heavily in developing indigenous capabilities and forging strategic alliances with other nations and commercial players. The United Arab Emirates made history in 2019 by sending its first astronaut – officially classified as a privately funded “spaceflight participant” by NASA – to the International Space Station. Two years later, it achieved another milestone, becoming the latest country to successfully place a probe into Martian orbit, joining an elite group of nations to accomplish this feat.
The UAE’s area ecosystem is driven by key players beyond the UAESA: Space42, a merger of Emirati satellite operator Yahsat and data analytics firm Bayanat; EDGE Group, a leading industrial prime contractor; and a select few universities and research institutions, including the National Centre for Space and Science Technology. The country has reached a critical juncture where deploying satellite TV constellations and establishing domestic satellite manufacturing capabilities are imperative for its future growth.
Loft Orbital CEO Pierre-Damien Vaujour recently expressed his longstanding interest in the UAE’s space sector during an interview, remarking that from the outset of Loft’s establishment, he envisioned building a presence in the UAE and contributing to its growth.
San Francisco-headquartered Loft procures satellite television for PCs on a fleet of buses en masse, while also accommodating client payloads through its standardized modular payload adapter, seamlessly integrating external hardware with the spacecraft. Once in orbit, Loft assumes control of the launch integration process and manages the spacecraft’s operations from that point forward. Startups enable customers to deploy mission-critical applications in space, utilizing onboard sensor suites, advanced computing capabilities, and high-resolution cameras.
Vaujour noted that Loft’s adaptable hardware enables the joint venture to collaborate seamlessly with a diverse range of emerging players across the Middle East’s vibrant startup ecosystem. “Our partnership is open to collaborating with any payload provider, bus or subsystem supplier, floor station provider, or cloud service – we’re prepared to share our comprehensive guide on manufacturing, operational best practices, and satellite expertise.”
OrbitWorks aims to manufacture up to 50 500-kilogram satellites annually, with the hardware for the initial ten satellites having already been acquired. The advanced facility, spanning 50,000 square feet in Abu Dhabi, will serve as the primary hub for assembling, building, and testing the primary satellite TV platform, with a projected timeline of completion by early 2025.
Vaujour confirmed that the startup has finalized its arrangements with Marlan to ensure Loft’s continued compliance with US regulations. laws and export licenses. Loft’s separate entity, Loft Federal, will continue to process and deliver work on categorized contracts in the United States. nationwide safety prospects.
“This newly established entity has a mission to become the national leader in satellite television constellation development and operations, a pioneering endeavor.” While we’re starting with a localized approach, our ultimate goal is to expand this idea exponentially. Ambitions on a national, regional, and global scale converge to form a truly monumental undertaking.
