Agreement signed to establish ground station for satellite images

MUSCAT: Sultan Qaboos University (SQU), represented by its Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Systems Research Centre, and the Second Chinese Institute of Oceanography signed a joint scientific cooperation agreement to establish a specialised ground station for receiving satellite imagery, primarily focused on ocean monitoring.
The signing ceremony was held under the auspices of HH Sayyid Dr Fahd bin Al Julanda al Said, Vice-Chancellor of SQU, in the presence of Prof Zihua Mao, representing the Chinese institute.
In this context, Dr Yaseen Ahmed al Mulla, Director of the Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Systems Research Centre at Sultan Qaboos University and Project Manager of the Satellite Image Receiving Ground Station, spoke about the station and its importance, stating that satellite image receiving ground stations have become an essential part of the scientific infrastructure of any country seeking to enhance its capabilities in various fields such as the environment, climate and natural resource management. He explained that these stations are not merely antennas that receive images from space, but rather advanced centres for transforming space data into practical knowledge that supports national decision-making.
He pointed out that in a world that increasingly relies on geographic information, with precise spatial and temporal data, countries capable of receiving data directly have become more independent and faster in responding to natural and economic challenges.
According to Dr Yaseen, the importance of ground stations lies in their ability to provide countries with immediate access to satellite data without the need to wait for processing or distribution through external servers. This allows scientists, researchers, and operators to analyse data in real time, develop more accurate local models, and produce information tailored to the country's specific needs.
He added that possessing a national space receiving infrastructure enhances cybersecurity, reduces reliance on external sources, and elevates scientific and technological sovereignty. He also emphasised that these stations serve as advanced training and research platforms, enabling universities and research centres to develop national expertise in remote sensing, big data analytics, artificial intelligence, and ecosystem modelling. With the increasing importance of these fields in the global economy, investing in space infrastructure is a direct investment in human and intellectual capital.
Dr Yaseen explained that the project to establish a ground station to receive satellite images is at this stage more specialised in the oceans, as these satellites provide continuous measurements of sea surface temperature, biological productivity, ocean current movement, sediment spread and water quality.
From a research perspective, he pointed out that the station allows Omani researchers access to raw data and the development of accurate local algorithms, instead of relying entirely on ready-made products from abroad, which enhances scientific innovation.
He stressed that the project is in line with the goals of Oman Vision 2040, which focuses on innovation, the knowledge economy, environmental sustainability and contributing to the emergence of specialised services in the fields of environmental analysis and geospatial data.
Dr Yaseen emphasised that the station is not merely a research facility, but a strategic infrastructure that enhances the Sultanate of Oman's scientific and technological standing and opens up broad horizons for sustainable development.
The station also serves as a future platform for collaboration with space agencies and scientific institutions specialising in remote sensing and Earth observation worldwide, thereby strengthening Oman’s presence in international scientific networks and reinforcing its role as an active partner in producing environmental knowledge on a global scale. - ONA