MUSCAT, SEPT 27
Oman has begun drafting a dedicated national space law as it strengthens the regulatory architecture needed to support investment and sustainable growth in its emerging space economy.
The Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology (MoTCIT), in coordination with relevant government entities, has initiated work on the Omani Space Law and supporting regulatory frameworks, according to the newly released National Space Programme Achievements 2023–2025 report.
The legislation is intended to ensure compliance with Oman’s international obligations, strengthen investor confidence and establish what the ministry describes as a “balanced and enabling environment” for sustainable sector growth.
The initiative is becoming increasingly important as Oman transitions from the foundation-building phase of its National Space Policy into a market-building phase encompassing satellite communications, Earth observation, launch services and other commercial space applications. The report identifies the development of legislation and regulatory frameworks as one of the principal areas of progress since the policy was launched.
The legal framework is also expected to complement more specialised regulations already being introduced for individual segments of the industry.
Notably, the Civil Aviation Authority has issued regulations governing airspace use for space-launch activities. Operators are required to submit airspace requests at least 45 working days before a launch, accompanied by a subject matter expert. The framework calls for coordination between the Etlaq Spaceport and MoTCIT on airspace assessments, weather conditions and operational safety requirements.
The regulatory push comes as the commercial footprint of Oman’s space industry expands rapidly. The number of companies operating in the sector increased from 11 in 2023 to 26 in 2025, while employment across government and private-sector space organisations rose from 152 to more than 400. Private investment reached RO 74 million in 2025, up from RO 20 million two years earlier.
Oman’s space value chain now encompasses launch-site services, remote-sensing operators, satellite communications, training and consultancy, as well as drone and space-service applications. The report says the sector has progressed from foundation-building towards a growing market characterised by rising investment, more companies and increasingly diversified services.
Regulatory development forms part of a wider strategy under the National Space Policy and Executive Programme 2023–2033, which places governance and regulation alongside capacity-building and international partnerships as key enablers. The programme ultimately seeks to establish Oman as a regional gateway for space applications and services while advancing economic diversification.
The draft law will also sit alongside efforts to strengthen institutional coordination. A dedicated Coordination Committee for Space Science and Applications Centres was established under Ministerial Decision No. 80/2024 to improve integration and support a connected, sustainable national space ecosystem.
With major projects ranging from the OmanSat-1 communications satellite to commercial launch infrastructure at Duqm advancing, the emerging legislative framework is set to provide the legal and regulatory foundation for a larger, increasingly private-sector-driven Omani space economy.
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