Etlaq, Latitude sign pact for first launch from Oman

BUSINESS REPORTER
MUSCAT, JULY 1
Oman's Etlaq Spaceport and France's Latitude have signed a letter of intent (LoI) to cooperate on the first experimental launch of a Latitude rocket from Oman, marking a new milestone in the growing strategic partnership between the Sultanate and France in the space sector.
The agreement was signed on the sidelines of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik's state visit to France, during which His Majesty met French President Emmanuel Macron. The signing underscores expanding bilateral cooperation in advanced industries, technology and the space economy.
Under the agreement, Etlaq, Oman's commercial spaceport operator, and Latitude, a French commercial launch service provider, will establish a framework for the first experimental launch of Latitude's launch vehicle from Etlaq Spaceport. The launch is currently targeted for late 2027.
The two companies will also work together on developing the necessary ground infrastructure, operational planning and regulatory preparations required to support future launch operations.
HH Azzan Kais al Said, Chief Executive Officer of Etlaq, said the agreement represents an important step in positioning Oman as an emerging commercial space hub.
'We are proud to welcome Latitude as our latest partner at Etlaq. This collaboration marks a significant milestone, not just for Etlaq, but for the broader relationship between Oman and France, two nations with a shared vision for what space can unlock for humanity. Working with partners like Latitude strengthens our capabilities and reinforces the growing confidence international players have in Oman as a space hub. We look forward to building a partnership that cements Etlaq's role as a key gateway to space, and we are proud that France is part of that journey,' he said.
Latitude Chairman of the Strategic Committee Olivier Zarrouati said the agreement reflected the strategic importance both countries attach to developing independent access to space.
'Space has become an arena where tomorrow's strategic balances are being shaped. This signing, on the sidelines of the meeting between President Macron and His Majesty the Sultan, is no coincidence: it reflects the shared ambition of France and Oman to build an independent space capability together. Latitude is proud to be its industrial vehicle,' he said.
Etlaq's location near the equator provides favourable conditions for launching satellites into low Earth orbit, sun-synchronous orbit and mid-inclination trajectories from a single site, offering commercial operators greater flexibility for future missions.
Officials said the partnership represents the first step towards establishing Latitude's long-term presence in Oman while supporting the Sultanate of Oman's ambitions to build a competitive commercial space ecosystem. The agreement also reflects confidence in Oman's evolving regulatory framework for space activities, which is designed to facilitate international launch operations and attract global space companies.
The cooperation supports Oman Vision 2040 by promoting high-value technology industries, encouraging international partnerships and strengthening the Sultanate's position as an emerging regional hub for commercial space activities.