From planning to building: Oman Space Program

Muscat: During the first three years, the program has already activated a significant part of this portfolio. This includes the spaceport and launch activities, ground-station initiatives, the national space data platform, CubeSat development, the Space Engineering Laboratory, space applications, the Oman Space Accelerator and capacity-building programs.

They are part of the National Space Program's 14 strategic projects — 11 core projects and three enabling or non-core projects — with eight initially identified as priority projects.

When the program was launched the program in 2023, a ten-year approach was deliberately adopted.

'The first three years were primarily about building the foundations — establishing the ecosystem, developing the regulatory environment, building national capabilities, attracting private-sector participation and initiating the priority projects,' explained Dr Saud Al Shoaili, Head of National Space Program.

Today there are active companies, space infrastructure projects, satellite programs, launch activities, space applications, capacity-building programs and growing international partnerships.

'We are therefore moving into the next phase, which is about implementation, commercialization and scaling up. I would say that we have successfully moved from planning the sector to actually building the sector.'

The long-term objective remains clear: to position Oman as a regional gateway for space applications and services, while using space technologies to support economic diversification, national security, capacity building and environmental sustainability.

'But it is important to understand that these eight projects were never intended to start or mature at the same time. They are being implemented progressively over the ten-year program.'

The space program has also moved into a much larger strategic project: developing Oman's national satellite communications capability, which represents an important step towards sovereign national space infrastructure.

The program is moving from individual initiatives towards an increasingly integrated national space ecosystem, with government, academia and the private sector each playing their respective roles.

According to Dr Al Shoaili, Etlaq Spaceport in Duqm is a very good example of the model that is to be encouraged in Oman.

'It is fundamentally a private-sector-led project, with the government providing the enabling environment, regulatory support and coordination required for such a strategic project to develop.

Importantly, Etlaq has moved beyond being simply a concept.'

Oman conducted its first experimental suborbital launch from Duqm in December 2024, and subsequent launch campaigns have helped test operational procedures, infrastructure, safety arrangements and coordination between the different stakeholders.

The next objective is to progressively develop the capabilities required to support more sophisticated launch activities and ultimately commercial orbital launches.

'For us, the value of Etlaq goes beyond launching rockets. A spaceport can create an entire ecosystem around it — engineering, logistics, testing, manufacturing, research, tourism, training and specialized services. That is where we see the longer-term economic opportunity for Oman.'

Geography is one of Oman's natural competitive advantages and it continues to be so in the space sector too by being close to equator.

'Etlaq is located at approximately 18 degrees north latitude, which provides access to a broad range of orbital inclinations and mission profiles.

Being relatively close to the equator can also provide advantages for certain eastward launches because the Earth's rotation contributes additional velocity. Depending on the target orbit and launch vehicle, that can translate into improved launch efficiency.'

But latitude is only one part of Oman's advantage.

Duqm also has a long coastline and large open downrange areas over the Arabian Sea, which are important considerations for launch safety. Oman also offers strong logistics infrastructure, political stability and connectivity between Asia, Africa and the Middle East.

'When we talk about Oman as a potential regional launch hub, it is really the combination of geography, infrastructure, stability and the enabling business environment that creates the opportunity.'

The response has been encouraging, both domestically and internationally.

'When we started developing the program, one of our objectives was not to build a government-dominated space sector, but rather to create an ecosystem in which private companies, universities, investors and international partners can participate.

We are now seeing that ecosystem emerging.'

He said international companies are increasingly exploring partnerships and opportunities in Oman, while Omani companies are expanding into areas such as satellite communications, launch services, Earth observation, geospatial applications and space technologies.

'We are also seeing increasing interest from young Omanis. Space is becoming an area in which students, engineers, researchers and entrepreneurs can increasingly see a future career or business opportunity.

For me, this growing participation is one of the most important indicators that the program is working.'

The investment indicators are particularly encouraging because the objective from the beginning had been to develop a sustainable economic sector, rather than space activities driven only by government expenditure.

By the end of 2025, Oman had around 25 companies active in the space sector, employing more than 400 people across the public and private sectors, with realized investments growth of 270% from 2023.

'What is equally important is the nature of these investments. We are seeing activity across launch infrastructure, satellite communications, Earth observation, geospatial services, research and applications.

The next stage is therefore about increasing the scale of investment, attracting more international companies to establish operations in Oman, encouraging joint ventures and ensuring that investment results in technology transfer, local value creation and high-quality employment for Omanis.'

Capacity building is one of the four pillars of our National Space Policy, because infrastructure alone does not create a sustainable space sector — people do, said Al Shoaily.

'We are therefore working at several levels. At the academic and technical level, we are developing specialized education and training opportunities and supporting programs such as the Space Engineering Laboratory and CubeSat initiatives, which give Omanis practical experience in satellite engineering and space technologies.

We have also launched dedicated programs to develop specialized national capabilities, including postgraduate education and practical training linked directly to the future needs of the sector.'

On entrepreneurship, the National Space Program has launched the Oman Space Accelerator Program to support Omani start-ups in developing commercially viable space technologies and applications. The intention is not simply to create start-ups, but to help them become sustainable companies capable of serving Oman, the region and potentially international markets.

'Going forward, we want to build a complete talent pipeline — from schools and universities, through specialized postgraduate education and technical training, to entrepreneurship, research and employment.

Ultimately, our ambition is that as Oman's space sector grows, an increasing proportion of its technologies, applications, expertise and businesses will be developed and led by Omanis.