Muscat - The Sultanate of Oman will launch its first experimental scientific rocket, called (Duqm-1) on Wednesday, under the supervision of the Ministry of Transport, Communications, and Information Technology, represented by the National Space Program, in cooperation with strategic partners in the sector, with implementation and investment by “Etlaq” Company, a subsidiary of the National Aerospace Services Company (NASCOM).
The project will be implemented in stages, as the first experimental launch mission (Duqm 1) is planned to launch a scientific rocket on Wednesday as a preliminary launch date from the launch pad in the south of the Duqm area (site 18 North, 56 East) for a rocket with a length of 6.5 m, weighing 80 kg empty, while weighing 123 kg with fuel, and will rise upon launch to a distance of 140 km above sea level at a speed of 1530 m/s for approximately 15 minutes.
The launch company explained that due to security precautions, the experimental launch of this missile will be conducted for the first time and will not be available to the general public.
Oman also plans three more launches in 2025, with dates to be announced later.
The National Aerospace Services Company is fully Omani and was established in 2021 to work in space sector services and invest in sector projects.
The implementation of this project by Etlaq Company comes under a usufruct contract between the company and the Ministry to use a plot of land in the Al Kahl area in the Wilayat of Duqm in the Al-Wusta Governorate to establish a spaceport to launch space rockets.
Eng. Said bin Hamoud Al Maawali, Minister of Transport, Communications and Information Technology (MTCIT), said that the project comes within the strategic initiatives implemented by the Ministry within the executive program for the space sector, which aims to maximize the benefit from the strategic capabilities of the Sultanate of Oman.
He said that the project is the first step towards establishing a spaceport to launch scientific rockets and satellites. It also meets commercial and research needs in the field of space launch, and enhances regional international cooperation in the space sector.
Dr. Ali bin Amer al Shidhani, MTCIT, said that the Sultanate of Oman is among the countries that enjoy attractive advantages for this type of space activities, represented by its geographical location close to the equator and the Tropic of Cancer, which reduces the cost and time required to launch space objects to different orbits.
He said the project benefits from the coastal strip of the Sultanate of Oman overlooking the ocean, which provides a safe space for such projects. It also benefits from the presence of the free economic zone in Duqm, which encourages attracting global investments.
Therefore, the project maximizes the economic benefit in that it meets the growth in demand for launching satellites, with limited spaceports around the world and almost no such ports in the Middle East.
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