LONDON: Oman’s ETCO Space has signed a cooperation agreement with Britain’s Open Cosmos to develop satellite and Earth observation capabilities, expand geospatial services and establish knowledge transfer and technical training programmes.
The partnership will support applications ranging from coastal monitoring and pollution tracking in Oman’s territorial waters to services for the security, defence, energy and minerals sectors, ETCO Space Chief Executive Dr Abdulaziz bin Amer al Sawai said.
Al Sawai signed the agreement with Open Cosmos Chief Technology Officer Jordi Barrera. The companies aim to strengthen cooperation in space and advanced technologies, using satellite imagery and geospatial data to develop services for a range of sectors.
The agreement builds on business ties between Oman and the United Kingdom and provides a framework for the companies to work together on space technology applications and the development of technical expertise.
Al Sawai said the partnership reflected close cooperation between technical professionals in both countries. It would focus on improving observation capabilities through high-quality satellite imagery, alongside programmes to transfer knowledge and develop technical and professional skills.
ETCO Space aims to use the partnership to strengthen its Earth observation capabilities, particularly in monitoring coastlines and tracking environmental pollution in territorial waters, he said. Other intended applications include supporting activities in security and defence, as well as the energy and minerals industries.
The agreement is expected to broaden cooperation between the companies and increase the use of satellite technologies, Earth observation services and geospatial data in Oman, Al Sawai said.
These activities would support the development of Oman’s space sector and expand the use of space technology across the economy.
ETCO Space is a government-affiliated endowment, or waqf, entity operating under the Muscat Endowment Fund, also known as Muscat Fund, and its associated digital applications.
The company provides space-related services and technologies to support development sectors and community needs, with knowledge transfer forming part of its mandate. — ONA
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