France / United Arab Emirates · Compute constellation
Altair-Next Gen
This project focuses on a constellation of satellites for computing in space.
The announced 50-satellite Marlan/Loft AI program includes Orbitworks' Altair-1, launched October 1, 2026 with two NVIDIA Jetson AGX Orin modules. Loft and NVIDIA report onboard Mistral model operation. Loft's October 27 account identifies the same spacecraft as the first delivery for CNES MS-HR and IOD/IOV, with Safran Reosc imaging and Magellium calibration/ground processing. The initial ten-satellite Altair scope overlaps the broader program and is not additive.
Marlan Space / Loft Orbital · Operator-reported onboard AI workload
Scope: Shared computing & storage · Shared satellite infrastructure supports multiple users and onboard software applications across overlapping mission programs.
Figures retain their disclosed units and scope. Launched hardware does not establish demonstrated performance; targets may change. Not disclosed means no figure in the reviewed sources.
Two NVIDIA Jetson AGX Orin modules flying on the first Orbitworks-built satellite of the announced AI constellation.
The source identifies deployed modules on the first spacecraft. Legal purchasing terms and value are undisclosed. The fifty-spacecraft programme and evaluation of Space-1 and IGX Thor remain future expansion.
Announced 12 Oct 2026 · Evidence checked 13 Oct 2026
Unibap iX10 onboard computing hardware supporting Orbitworks Altair on the Transporter-18 flight announced October 1, 2026.
Supplier-reported flight role. October 1 is the announcement and launch date, not a disclosed contract-signing date. The legal buyer, contract value, unit count and achieved in-orbit processing results are not disclosed.
Announced 1 Oct 2026 · Evidence checked 11 Oct 2026
Loft's signed multi-year CNES contract for a ten-satellite Earth-observation constellation with planned onboard processing and AI models.
The first satellite was targeted for Q4 2026 in this April announcement. The stated up-to tens of millions of euros is not a precise awarded value. Achieved orbital performance is not established. The original issuer release explicitly announces a signed multi-year CNES contract. The supplying role alone is not the limit of the disclosed agreement evidence.
Announced 30 Apr 2026 · Evidence checked 27 Oct 2026
Magellium Artal Group provides the sovereign image ground segment, payload calibration and ongoing image-quality monitoring for CNES MS-HR, including the first Altair-1 delivery.
The ground-segment supplier role is explicit. The source does not identify a separate legal purchaser, subcontract value or completed ground infrastructure. Loft October27 2026 confirms the Altair1 delivery and calibration role at https://loftorbital.com/loft-orbital-delivers-first-satellite-supporting-two-cnes-programs-now-in-orbit/ . No new price or independent completed image-quality benchmark is disclosed.
Announced 30 Apr 2026 · Evidence checked 13 Oct 2026
Named model-technology provenance for the onboard Altair-1 EO/vision application set, as identified by Loft.
Software model-technology role only. Loft identifies models from this organization among those loaded onboard. No paid procurement contract, individual model allocation, installed compute rating or exclusive partnership is inferred.
Announced Publication date not supplied · Evidence checked 31 Oct 2026
Named model-technology provenance for the onboard Altair-1 EO/vision application set, as identified by Loft.
Software model-technology role only. Loft identifies models from this organization among those loaded onboard. No paid procurement contract, individual model allocation, installed compute rating or exclusive partnership is inferred.
Announced Publication date not supplied · Evidence checked 31 Oct 2026
Named model-technology provenance for the onboard Altair-1 EO/vision application set, as identified by Loft.
Software model-technology role only. Loft identifies models from this organization among those loaded onboard. No paid procurement contract, individual model allocation, installed compute rating or exclusive partnership is inferred.
Announced Publication date not supplied · Evidence checked 31 Oct 2026
Named model-technology provenance for the onboard Altair-1 EO/vision application set, as identified by Loft.
Software model-technology role only. Loft identifies models from this organization among those loaded onboard. No paid procurement contract, individual model allocation, installed compute rating or exclusive partnership is inferred.
Announced Publication date not supplied · Evidence checked 31 Oct 2026
Named model-technology provenance for the onboard Altair-1 EO/vision application set, as identified by Loft.
Software model-technology role only. Loft identifies models from this organization among those loaded onboard. No paid procurement contract, individual model allocation, installed compute rating or exclusive partnership is inferred.
Announced Publication date not supplied · Evidence checked 31 Oct 2026
Named model-technology provenance for the onboard Altair-1 EO/vision application set, as identified by Loft.
Software model-technology role only. Loft identifies models from this organization among those loaded onboard. No paid procurement contract, individual model allocation, installed compute rating or exclusive partnership is inferred.
Announced Publication date not supplied · Evidence checked 31 Oct 2026
SEEING 230 Ident optical imager on Altair-1 for the first CNES IOD/IOV mission.
Named imaging technology on the same Altair-1 spacecraft. No separate satellite, supplier-order value, installed AI capacity or completed calibration result is inferred.
Announced Publication date not supplied · Evidence checked 31 Oct 2026
Further commissioning and measured application-service results for Altair1, plus delivery dates for subsequent satellites.
Manual review 31 Oct 2026. Compared Loft's October12 installed-hardware disclosure with Unibap's October1 flight account and current project/relationship records. Added the iX10 identity while preserving the separate two Jetson AGX Orin modules, future hardware evaluations and overlapping ten/50-satellite scopes. Their internal hardware mapping remains unspecified. Last full profile review 18 Oct 2026. Primary body last observed 18 Oct, 06:49 UTC. Source monitoring: unavailable. Source collection and substantive profile review are separate checks. Plans and dates may change.
Commissioning and independently verified service performance
Investment disbursement and ownership structure
Available compute capacity and utilization
Schedule for the complete 50-satellite program
Orbitworks describes an initial ten-satellite Altair constellation while Loft describes the broader fifty-satellite program. Do not add those totals together.
Project updates
Verified announcements and milestones linked to this project, newest first.
Loft reports that Altair-1, launched October 1, is the first delivery under the CNES MS-HR Earth-observation contract and IOD/IOV program. The spacecraft combines onboard NVIDIA AI processing with Safran Reosc SEEING 230 Ident imaging and Magellium calibration, image-quality monitoring and ground processing. It is the same Altair-1 spacecraft already tracked, not another satellite.
IHC announced on 8 September 2026 that its International Tech Group subsidiary was in the process of acquiring an 80% stake in Marlan Holding, subject to regulatory approvals and closing conditions. The release describes Marlan Space’s Orbitworks venture with Loft Orbital and the Altair Earth-observation program, whose first satellite was completed while additional spacecraft were being assembled. It highlights onboard processing and satellite production in Abu Dhabi.
Orbitworks announced a collaboration with Shory Group to explore satellite asset insurance and the use of Altair geospatial data in underwriting and risk assessment. Initial applications include flood detection, environmental monitoring and fleet coverage.
Orbitworks and IRH Technology signed a strategic agreement on 6 May 2026 to evaluate mineral exploration using Altair imagery and IRH's analytics platform. The initial framework lasts two years. Orbitworks published the announcement on 8 May.
