Latest news with #GenesisProgramme
Observer
4 days ago
- Business
- Observer
Oman's Etlaq Spaceport: A new hub for the new space economy
MUSCAT: In today's space race, it's the lean and adaptive — not the legacy giants — who are setting the pace. As private space companies push the boundaries of propulsion systems, small satellite tech and reusable launch vehicles, they're increasingly on the lookout for launch partners that offer more than just real estate. One of the newest — and most surprising — answers to that call is Oman. Etlaq Spaceport, located near the coastal city of the Wilayat of Al Duqm, Al Wusta Governorate, is gaining attention from space startups across the globe. Not because it's the biggest, but because it's fast, flexible and surprisingly accessible. Backed by Oman's National Aerospace Services Company (NASCOM), the spaceport has quickly positioned itself as a responsive, startup-friendly gateway — an emerging alternative to heavily booked and bureaucratically burdened launch complexes. Stellar Kinetics has chosen Etlaq for the maiden launch of its Kea-1 vehicle. 'The upcoming mission will be the inaugural launch of the Kea-1 vehicle, offering a unique opportunity to test orbital class systems such as stage separation mechanisms and active guidance under unprecedented timelines,' stated a company representative. Their mission is part of the Duqm-2 suborbital flight scheduled this year. Stellar Kinetics is part of a growing shift in the new-space economy, where iterative testing, agile development and hardware validation happen quickly — and repeatedly. Traditional launch sites can involve long wait times, complex onboarding and rigid launch windows. For smaller companies trying to keep pace with tight funding milestones and evolving designs, those delays can be deal-breakers. Etlaq's agile structure is built to answer that need. Through its Genesis Programme, the spaceport enables launch service providers to move from planning to liftoff in as little as 14 weeks. This type of responsive launch cadence is rare in a market dominated by legacy infrastructure. Stellar Kinetics has chosen Etlaq for the maiden launch of its Kea-1 vehicle. Beyond timeline acceleration, startups are drawn to Etlaq's partnership mindset. Rather than offering pre-packaged services, the spaceport provides custom launch support — vehicle integration, environmental testing and mission coordination tailored to the provider's needs. For startups that don't have the scale or capital of larger aerospace firms, this degree of access and flexibility is a game-changer. Even research payloads are finding opportunities in Oman. Onboard Duqm-2 will be two international experiments from the UK's university-led JUPITER programme and Taiwan's SIGHT Space. The teams are sending a compact CubeSat and an even smaller PocketQube to conduct microgravity experiments and onboard systems validation — objectives that are often delayed, deprioritised and prohibitively expensive in larger missions elsewhere. Oman's location, near the equator with direct ocean overflight zones, gives technical advantages for a wide range of orbits. But more importantly for these startups, the country is building a framework that supports innovation: clear regulatory pathways, public-private collaboration and an openness to emerging technologies. While Oman's space programme is still in its early stages, its engagement with foreign startups is already shaping a reputation: not as a competitor to the world's spacefaring superpowers, but as a strategic enabler for the next generation of launch providers. In this new era of space access, Etlaq offers something rare — speed, access and support for those trying to build the future of flight. Startups aren't just coming to Oman to launch. They're coming here to learn fast, move fast and fly again.
Broadcast Pro
21-02-2025
- Business
- Broadcast Pro
Omani Etlaq Spaceport announces five test launches for 2025
Oman plans to launch five rockets from its emerging spaceport this year, beginning in April, with a dedicated fan zone set to open soon. Photo credit: Etlaq Spaceport Etlaq Spaceport, the first commercial spaceport in the Middle East and North Africa, has revealed plans for five test launches in 2025 during the Etlaq Launch Conference. These missions will focus on critical technology demonstrations, including controlled ascent and descent, landing systems, stage separation and fuel efficiency. Collaborating with international partners from Kuwait, the United Kingdom and New Zealand, Etlaq aims to position Oman as a key player in the global space industry while fostering international cooperation in space exploration. At the core of this initiative is the Genesis Programme, launched in 2024 to establish Omans national space launch heritage. Initially developed for the National Space Services Company's (NASCOM) experimental Duqm-1 mission, the programme will facilitate suborbital and experimental launches from 2025 to 2027, laying the foundation for future orbital operations. Etlaq reaffirmed its commitment to safety and sustainability, with the spaceports location in Wilayat Al Duqm providing a secure exclusion zone to ensure risk-free launches. Safety is our top priority. Every mission will undergo rigorous risk assessments to maintain operational integrity, an Etlaq spokesperson said. As part of broader efforts to advance Omans space sector, the Ministry of Transport, Communications, and Information Technology (MTCIT) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with NASCOM, granting the company 'Qualified Entity' status for spaceport development and operations. This agreement supports Omans vision to become a regional space hub, fostering private sector growth, foreign investment, and technology localization. In a major collaboration, Etlaq signed an agreement with Spanish launch service provider PLD Space to facilitate the launch of MIURA 5 from Oman. Additionally, an MoU with SatMENA will enable cooperation on ground station services and operational support for upcoming launches. Reflecting its growing global aspirations, Etlaq unveiled a refreshed brand identity, alongside a rebranding of the Oman Society for Astronomy and Space, signalling a new era for the nations space industry.
Zawya
21-02-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Omani spaceport Etlaq announces 5 rocket launches in 2025
MUSCAT: Etlaq, the first spaceport in Oman and the MENA region, is targeting five experimental launches in 2025. Speaking at a press conference in Muscat on February 20, 2025, Julanda al Riyami, Chief Commercial Officer (CCO), announced the company's 2025 plans. 'We're excited to unveil five missions this year, featuring international collaborations with partners from the UK, New Zealand, and Kuwait. As a spaceport, Duqm-1 was about learning how to operate and execute missions. However, 2025 will be focused on a different type of test—we'll be learning how to conduct launches repeatedly. The goal is to establish a cadence, enabling multiple planned launches in parallel. This will help us achieve an ideal rate of 10, 20, or even 30+ launches per year.' According to the CCO, the purpose of the launches will vary. While some launches are designed to test landing systems, others will focus on other aspects such as on stage separation or fuel efficiency. The first rocket launch, UNITY-1, is expected to take place in April, which will be facilitated by UK based launch company Advanced Propulsion Technologies. This will be followed by the launch of the Duqm-2 rocket in June, which will be facilitated by New Zealand-based Stellar Kinetics in partnership with Etlaq's parent company, NASCOM. The Duqm-2 rocket, while part of the company's programme, will use a different launch vehicle, Al Riyami said. A more complex launch, utilising different parameters and operational procedures, is scheduled for October for rocket Duqm-3. The fourth rocket scheduled for launch in November is Kuwait Space Rocket's Ambition-3, emphasising the significance of regional collaboration within the sector. The final launch, expected to take place in December, is for Duqm-3, which according to the CCO, will have different parameters compared to the previous rockets. Etlaq's 2025 launch schedule is part of the company's newly announced rocket launching experimental programme – Genesis - which aims to develop Oman's space launch culture before full-scale commercial operations in 2027. Earlier, in his keynote address, Etlaq CEO His Highness Sayyid Azzan bin Qais al Said, shared the following about the programme, 'The Genesis Programme was launched in 2024 as a proof of concept. At this stage, the programme is laying the foundation for what we call a national space launch heritage. We believe that having such a heritage is a fundamental prerequisite for commercial spaceport operations, which we plan to begin in 2027.' He added, 'The programme is designed to break down the essential elements of planning and conducting rocket launches. From now until 2027, our goal is to host as many launches as possible—within safety and feasibility limits—using multiple launch companies operating suborbital and experimental launch vehicles. This means that every launch we announce today will be conducted under the Genesis Programme, contributing to capacity building and the development of a sustainable launch heritage.' A number of agreements were also signed at the briefing. International space services company PLD Space singed an agreement to use Etlaq as the second global launch base for the Miura launch vehicle family. An MOU was also inked with satellite solutions provider SatMENA to collaborate on ground station services and operational support for upcoming launches. Additionally, Etlaq's parent company NASCOM signed an agreement the Ministry of Transport, Communications, and Information Technology (MTCIT) granting the company Qualified Entity status for the building and operation of spaceports in the country. First announced in 2023, the Etlaq spaceport, located in Duqm, successfully launched its first experimental rocket in December of 2024. The spaceport is expected to be fully operational by 2027. 2022 © All right reserved for Oman Establishment for Press, Publication and Advertising (OEPPA) Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
