As part of its long-term goal to position the country as a new regional gateway for space applications, the Sultanate of Oman is seeking international partnerships and investments in a number of strategic initiatives that will help create the underpinnings of a domestic space-based industry.
These projects, according to a new Space Policy and Executive Programme launched recently by the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology (MTCIT), will seek to leverage Oman’s strategic location, as well as advantageous environmental characteristics, to help deliver cost-competitive space-based services to customers globally.
One such initiative being keenly looked at by the Ministry envisions the establishment of a network of ground stations that will provide services (GSaS) to satellite operators or other businesses. Oman’s location with respect to the Equator makes it ideal for the hosting of ground stations, according to the Ministry.
The proposed hub of ground stations will facilitate, among other things, the transfer of space-oriented technology and knowledge by allowing international satellite operators to benefit from Oman’s strategic location for their satellite systems. Furthermore, the project will help create an ecosystem for the development of digital applications.
Importantly, the ground stations can enable connectivity with the multitude of international submarine cables with landing points on Oman’s shores. “Oman has a set of 21 submarine cables that could easily link in real-time the data downloaded from satellites to end users, or to develop data analytics services in the country and offer the final products, including solutions or applications, for the end users,” said the Ministry in an overview of its space programme.
Likewise, Oman is encouraging foreign satellite operators to establish their Direct Receiving Stations (DRS) here in the Sultanate of Oman – a move that will enable Omani users to access data received through these facilities.
“The foreign partners will benefit from volume of data needs in Oman which is profitable through long term contracts with Government and private sectors. Moreover, Omani users will benefit from real-time data for development of applications and solution. This project intersects with the Ground Stations as Services (GSaS) project,” the Ministry stated.
The DRS project has the potential to facilitate and accelerate data downlinking, as well as support the development of services to support agriculture or disaster management.
Also offered up for investment and development is the National Space Data Platform – an initiative that aims to provide the Earth Observation (EO) sector with a state-of-the-art digital platform to gather, process and share data fostering applications and ecosystem development.
“The National Space Data Platform is the Earth Observation (EO) strategy backbone to build national capacity in the downstream sector to support digitalization and economic diversification. The platform will be accessed by public and private sectors, researchers and partners,” the Ministry explained.
This project will enable, among other things, the development of innovative solutions matching key industrial needs, support job creation and private sector entrepreneurship and start-ups, and boost technology transfer from academics to the private sector, it added.
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