The UAE will invest $1 billion through International Holding Company subsidiary Marlan Space in Loft Orbital, a French- and U.S.-founded space AI startup, to build a 50-satellite Earth-observation constellation. The project, known as Altair, is expanding from an initial 10-spacecraft plan, with the first satellite targeted for orbit by October 2026. Altair satellites will process optical, hyperspectral, thermal, infrared, radar, video and other measurement data in orbit, allowing AI agents to identify anomalies and issue alerts within seconds instead of sending raw data to Earth for analysis. The spacecraft will be built by Orbitworks, a Marlan Space-Loft Orbital joint venture, at a 5,000-square-meter Abu Dhabi facility capable of producing up to 50 satellites annually. The constellation is aimed primarily at customers in Europe and the UAE. The consortium has also signed a services contract with CNES, while International Holding Company plans to acquire an 80% stake in Marlan Holding. The initiative supports Abu Dhabi’s effort to develop sovereign space capabilities and will be tested against established Earth-observation providers including Planet Labs, Maxar and Airbus Defence and Space.