MUSCAT, JAN 7
The Sultanate of Oman made significant strides in its nascent space sector in 2023. Led by the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology, Oman identified the sector, which was valued globally at $337 billion in 2021, as a key driver for economic diversification in line with Vision 2040.
The following is a brief recap of the country’s most notable achievements over the past year:
National Space Programme
In January 2023, the Ministry unveiled the National Space Program - a 10-year framework that aims to put Oman on the global space industry map. Based on the pillars of economic diversification, capacity building, national security, and environmental reservation, the Ministry aims to implement the executive plan through collaborations with the public and private sectors and civil society.
According to officials, Oman will focus primarily on down-stream space activities - terrestrial space operations and services - which account for 90 per cent of the sector’s activities.
The plan identified over 14 investment opportunities mainly targeted at global investors and technology firms. These include: the establishment of space cloud partnerships, satellite ground station hubs, direct receiving stations, a national space observatory among many others.
First spaceport in MENA
In January, the National Aerospace Services Company (NASCOM) announced its plans of building the first space rocket launch port in Duqm, which the company shared was identified as one of “top 5 most efficient rocket launch latitudes in the world”.
The Etlaq Space Launch Complex will allow for the assembly, testing and launch of commercial, professional and educational rockets. Construction of the complex is expected to begin in the second quarter of this year, and will be fully operational by 2026.
Duqm to get Space Settlement Centre
In July, Global Space and Technology Company announced its plans of establishing a scientific and economic space zone in al Duqm known as as “Zone 88”. The project will feature a Space Habitat Center, Commercial Space Launching Area, Unmanned Vehicles Technology Center, Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Technology Testing area and Ground Station.
Oman’s first satellite launches into space
In November, Oman’s first satellite “Aman-1” launched successfully into orbit onboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket mission from a California launch base following an earlier failed attempt in January.
The cube-satellite, also known as a non-satellite, is a result of a collaborative effort between Omani Space Company ETCO, data analysis and solutions provider TUATARA, and nanosatellite manufacturer SatRevolution.
The satellite will be used to collect data and images which will be transmuted to ETCO’s ground station in Oman and will cater to wide range of clientele.
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