Oman Lens partners with Bahrain Space Agency
Omani space start-up Oman Lens has partnered with Bahrain's Space Agency and China based Starvision to launch an AI-powered payload on board its satellite OL-1, marking the first Omani-Bahraini collaboration in the space sector.
The collaboration enabled the launch of the first specialised payload for detecting and identifying clouds in satellite images using advanced artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, according to SpaceTech Gulf, a leading analytics and space market intelligence company in the Gulf and MENA regions.
In a statement, Oman Lens shared the following, 'Oman Lens expresses its pride and delight in the fruitful collaboration with the Bahrain Space Agency and China's Starvision in the implementation of a pioneering project that marks a significant step forward in the use of artificial intelligence for satellite image analysis to detect and identify clouds.'
The Omani start-up further added: 'This project represents a key milestone in our journey to enhance the use of advanced technologies in the space sector and reflects our commitment to building strategic partnerships that support knowledge localisation and foster innovation across the Arab world.'
Speaking to the media, Dr Mohammed Ibrahim al Aseeri, Chief Executive Officer of the Bahrain Space Agency, highlighted the significance of the project, 'This project marks another milestone in the accomplishments of the Bahrain Space Agency and contributes to strengthening Bahrain's position among leading nations in the space sector.
It is also a clear testament to the agency's wide-ranging international partnerships, the technical progress made by its members, and the scientific and practical competencies that paved the way for this exceptional and high-value collaboration.'
Space engineer Yaqoub al Qassab at the agency added that the project is part of a set of initiatives aimed at strengthening local space capacities.
'This project is part of a series of initiatives aimed at building national capacity in the development and integration of AI algorithms with satellite components. The technical team behind the project forms the nucleus of a specialised Bahraini team focused on applying AI technologies in space, serving sustainable development goals,' he said.
According to Al Qassab, the agency is currently in the process of creating new algorithms for the detection of marine vessels.
Satellite OL-1 successfully launched last November 2024, on board Chinese commercial carrier rocket Lijian-1 Y5 from the Dongfeng Commercial Aerospace Innovation Test Zone. It recently marked 5,000 hours of continuous orbital operations.
Oman Lens shared that data from the satellite will be used to monitor the country's landscapes, infrastructure and natural resources. It is also the first of a planned constellation of 20 satellites.
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