Latest news with #Kea-1
Observer
5 days ago
- Science
- Observer
Duqm-2 launch aborted due to technical glitch
DUQM: Etlaq Spaceport's highly anticipated experimental rocket launch mission 'Duqm-2' was aborted due to a technical issue on Sunday. According to the company, the team behind the launch vehicle, Stellar Kinetics 'encountered an issue with a COTS valve actuator used for various systems on the Kea-1 vehicle.' Consequently, the launch has been postponed until 'a replacement solution is developed,' it stated. In a statement, HH Sayyid Azzan bin Qais Al Said, CEO – Etlaq Spaceport, shared the following: 'Today's stand-down of the launch reflects the diligence and precision required in aerospace operations. We commend the teams, both local and international, for their disciplined decision-making in prioritizing safety and system integrity.' According to the CEO, despite the failure to launch, the mission achieved several operational milestones. 'We achieved many objectives of the Duqm-2 mission, including planning the mission, navigating regulatory processes, designing ground infrastructure, and building an integration hangar.' He added: 'Etlaq Spaceport continues to rapidly acquire knowledge to prove itself as a capable, reliable host, and this effort further strengthens our role in building sustainable, skill-based partnerships in the global launch ecosystem.' A spokesperson for Stellar Kinetics stated: 'It has been an exciting few months working closely with the Etlaq and NASCOM teams preparing for this mission. We proved out the majority of our objectives, demonstrating how fast we can move through this complex programme with our regional partners. The National Space Programme and Civil Aviation Authority provided support throughout, allowing agility and responsiveness in the regulatory environment that is immensely valuable for a fast-paced programme like the Duqm-2 mission.' The Duqm-2 mission is slated to carry two education-focused research payloads. The first is developed by the UK based Joint Universities Programme for In-Orbit Training, Education and Research (JUPITER), brought together students and researchers from the University of Surrey, the University of Portsmouth and the University of Southampton. The Jupiter payload included the Jovian-O 6U CubeSat, a prototype deployment system, and DAVE, (Dual Aperture for Viewing Earth), which is equipped with two small cameras - one to capture images and videos of Earth, and the other is a space-facing camera to monitor space debris. The second payload was developed by SIGHT Space, a Taiwanese student-led initiative from National Central University. Their PocketQube II satellite was designed to record real-time structural stress and environmental data (temperature, pressure, acceleration) during suborbital flight. Duqm-2 is part of a series of experimental launch initiative - the Genesis Programme - that aims to cultivate Oman's launch culture before the port's operation in 2027. The mission was scheduled as the second launch of the year, following the postponement of mission UNITY-1 earlier this year due to unfavourable weather conditions and technical issues.
Observer
6 days ago
- Business
- Observer
‘Duqm-2' marks major step for Oman's space ambitions
DUQM: The second mission of a series of experimental space rocket launches, Duqm-2, has successfully concluded on Sunday without ignition of the vehicle. Stellar Kinetics' Kea-1, a two-stage guided experimental suborbital vehicle, was set to launch from Etlaq Spaceport before it was halted during the final preparations due to a technical issue with onboard actuators. Etlaq, Stellar Kinetics, and institutional partners gathered immense data leading up to the launch attempt before initiating protocols to safely unload the propellants from Kea-1 and secure the premises. Etlaq has successfully prepared and executed spaceport activities, accomplishing a number of goals and gaining critical insights across technical, operational and logistical aspects. The Duqm-2 mission supported the upskilling of Omanis in launch operations such as handling cryogenics, establishing power systems, constructing launch pad infrastructure and providing tenant services. The launch attempt marked a major operational success for Etlaq Spaceport. HH Sayyid Azzan bin Qais al Said, CEO of Etlaq Spaceport, said: 'We achieved many objectives of the Duqm-2 mission, including planning the mission, navigating regulatory processes, designing ground infrastructure and building an integration hangar. We commend the teams, both local and international, for their disciplined decision-making in prioritising safety and system integrity. Etlaq Spaceport continues to rapidly acquire knowledge to prove itself as a capable, reliable host, and this effort further strengthens our role in building sustainable, skill-based partnerships in the global launch ecosystem.' The experimental suborbital vehicle was designed by Stellar Kinetics to prove orbital class systems such as stage separation and guidance and navigation systems, while operating in the Middle Eastern summer on unprecedented timelines. Over the course of the two-week campaign, the vehicle underwent successful payload integration, electronics testing and fuel tank filling. A spokesperson for Stellar Kinetics said: 'It has been an exciting few months working closely with the Etlaq and NASCOM teams preparing for this mission. We proved out the majority of our objectives, demonstrating how fast we can move through this complex programme with our regional partners. The National Space Programme and Civil Aviation Authority provided support throughout, allowing agility and responsiveness in the regulatory environment that is immensely valuable for a fast paced programme like the Duqm-2 mission. The spokesperson added that the Stellar Kinetics team encountered an issue with a COTS valve actuator used for various systems on the Kea vehicle. We are postponing the launch until a replacement solution is developed. While the ignition moment was missed, this mission delivers on the calendar announced in February. Over the next 4 months we anticipate a series of subsequent launches to continue on the R&D pathway. As the programme builds momentum, we expect to see a steady stream of both experimental and commercial Stellar Kinetics vehicles launching from the Etlaq Spaceport. The Kea-1 vehicle carried two tethered payloads from international partners, spanning the UK and Taiwan, for scientific research and microgravity testing. The mission offered hands-on experience and critical data that will support the next generation of aerospace talent both locally and globally. Ieuan Carney, a PhD student from the University of Surrey leading the Jovian-O team on behalf of Jupiter, said: 'Although the payload didn't get to deploy, it's something we were prepared for because we know space projects often have setback in the early stages. We're still so proud of what we've done, developing a payload and fitting it onto a rocket.' SIGHT Space founder, Kevin Chen, said: "The experience of working alongside Stellar Kinetics and Etlaq Spaceport has been invaluable for our team and the National Central University in Taiwan. We are proud to have reached this milestone and this collaboration reminds us that progress in space always comes through testing, iteration and international cooperation." Duqm-2 stands as a proud milestone for Etlaq and Oman, reflecting its growing leadership in fostering international collaboration and enabling access to space. Etlaq Spaceport remains committed to supporting the global launch community by offering secure, responsive infrastructure for testing, suborbital research and commercial demonstration. Each mission advances the capabilities and learnings that shape the future of space access. - ONA
Muscat Daily
6 days ago
- Science
- Muscat Daily
Duqm-2 space mission collects critical data despite aborted launch
Duqm – Duqm-2 space mission concluded on Sunday without launching the Kea-1 spacecraft after a technical issue with onboard actuators halted final preparations at the Etlaq Spaceport in Duqm. The mission, part of a series of experimental spaceflight efforts from Duqm, had planned to launch a two-stage guided suborbital experimental vehicle. While the launch did not proceed, mission leaders confirmed collection of critical data and successful execution of several pre-launch operations. The mission supported training in cryogenic fluid handling, launch pad operations, power system setup and spacecraft assembly. Developed by New Zealand's Stellar Kinetics, Kea-1 was equipped with two tethered payloads from research partners in the UK and Taiwan intended for scientific and microgravity experiments. H H Sayyid Azzan bin Qais al Said, Founder and CEO of National Aerospace Services Company (NASCOM) and Etlaq Spaceport, stated that the mission achieved its core objectives, including regulatory coordination, mission planning, ground system design and facility readiness. 'This outcome reflects the precision required in space operations. The decision to delay the launch underscores commitment to safety.' He noted that the spaceport is steadily positioning itself as a regional launch hub, adding that knowledge gained from the Duqm-2 preparations would support the future development of both the spaceport and Stellar Kinetics' launch systems. A Stellar Kinetics spokesperson confirmed that while the actuator issue delayed the Kea-1 launch, the team was able to meet most of the mission's intended milestones. Further launches remain on schedule as Stellar Kinetics and Etlaq continue development of a sustainable, experimental launch ecosystem.
Observer
04-07-2025
- 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.
