Emirates SkyCargo transports UAE’s first commercial AI-enabled satellite

Dubai: Emirates SkyCargo has successfully transported Altair-1, the UAE’s first commercial AI-enabled Earth observation satellite, from Dubai World Central to Los Angeles aboard a Boeing 777 freighter ahead of its scheduled launch in October 2026.

Altair-1 is the first of a 10-satellite constellation developed and manufactured in the UAE by Orbitworks. Equipped with optical, infrared, thermal and RF sensing capabilities, along with onboard artificial intelligence, the constellation will deliver analysis-ready intelligence for environmental monitoring, disaster response, land and coastal-use analysis, maritime awareness, and infrastructure assessment.

The shipment highlights Emirates SkyCargo’s expertise in transporting highly sensitive aerospace equipment through its dedicated Aerospace and Engineering solution. A specialised team managed the end-to-end transport, ensuring strict environmental and safety controls throughout the journey.

Emirates SkyCargo has extensive experience handling satellite transportation. It recently carried Arab Satellite 813 to its launch site near Shanghai and, in 2018, transported Khalifasat, the first satellite developed and built by UAE engineers, to South Korea. The carrier’s Aerospace and Engineering vertical is one of its fastest-growing specialised products, with more than 6,000 tonnes of aerospace and advanced engineering cargo transported worldwide in 2026.