MUSCAT: In a major development for the future of space exploration in the Middle East, the National Aerospace Services Company (NASCOM) of Oman has awarded the first major contract for its Etlaq spaceport in Duqm, to UK Launch Services Ltd (UK LSL).
The award was formalized at a signing ceremony held recently at the British Embassy in Muscat, attended by Dr Liane Saunders, the British ambassador to the Sultanate of Oman, along with HH Azzan Kais Al Said, the Chairman of NASCOM, and Andy Bradford, the founder and CEO of UK LSL.
UK LSL will be responsible for designing the official master plan for the Etlaq spaceport, which is projected to be one of the most advanced spaceports in the world. NASCOM has been meticulously laying the groundwork for this innovative spaceport over the past six months, engaging with both local and international stakeholders to set the stage for a project of unparalleled significance.
The Etlaq spaceport is an ambitious and visionary project that promises to make a significant mark on the global space industry. It is located in the Wilayat of Duqm on Oman’s southeast coast, and is ideally positioned for a variety of space launch missions. The spaceport will also feature a range of state-of-the-art facilities and services, including a launch pad, assembly and testing facilities, and a mission control center.
NASCOM believes that the Etlaq spaceport will play a vital role in promoting the development of the space industry in Oman and the wider Middle East region. The spaceport will also serve as a major hub for international space exploration, attracting companies and organizations from around the world.
In addition to the engineering consultancy contract, NASCOM has also been able to secure seed funding for the Etlaq spaceport project from key institutional investors within the Sultanate of Oman. This is a significant milestone for NASCOM, and it demonstrates the strong support for the project from both the public and private sectors.
NASCOM aims to begin breaking ground at the Etlaq spaceport site by the beginning of the second quarter of 2024, as part of a 24-month development plan for the first phase of the project. The company believes that the spaceport will be operational by 2026, and that it will play a major role in the future of space exploration.
The Etlaq spaceport is a truly groundbreaking project, and it is one that has the potential to transform the global space industry. NASCOM and UK LSL are committed to making the Etlaq spaceport a success, and they are confident that it will play a vital role in the future of space exploration.
The award comes on the heels of Monday’s announcement of the successful launch of Oman’s first satellite, Aman-1, on board Falcon 9, a first-ever orbital class rocket capable of reflight. The landmark achievement, spearheaded by ETCO Space, an Oman-based emerging technology innovator, supported by SpaceX: an American aerospace manufacturer and space transport services company; SatRev: Polish nanosatellite manufacturer and operator and TUATARA: specialists in advanced Artificial Intelligence (AI), data analytics and cognitive technology solutions.
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