Latest news with #StellarKinetics
The National
2 hours ago
- Business
- The National
Second rocket launch from Oman's spaceport called off but momentum builds
Oman's ambitious mission to develop a commercial rocket launch site to put the country at the centre of the region's growing space sector is taking shape, even after a recent test mission setback. Oman's plans to carry out a second rocket launch from its under-construction spaceport were called off on Sunday after engineers discovered a technical problem shortly before lift-off. The Duqm-2 mission was expected to launch a 12-metre experimental suborbital rocket from Etlaq Spaceport, the Middle East's first commercial launch site, in the remote coastal desert of Duqm. But a fault was found in the rocket's actuator, a device that helps control systems on the launch vehicle. Sayyid Azzan bin Qais Al Said, chief executive of the spaceport, said the mission had still met many of its goals. '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 said. The Kea-1 rocket, developed by Stellar Kinetics, a private company from New Zealand, was meant to travel into suborbital space on a short test flight. 'Building momentum' A company representative said the rocket had performed well in all steps before the final countdown, including preparing the launchpad, filling the rocket's tanks and integrating the two payloads from international partners. 'Over the next four months we anticipate a series of subsequent launches to continue on the research and development pathway,' they said. '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." Start-ups involved The Duqm-2 mission involved start-ups from the UK and Taiwan, who developed small satellite payloads to ride on the rocket. A team from Jupiter, a UK-based space start-up, built a small satellite called Jovian-O and an Earth observation device. Ieuan Carney, a PhD student at the University of Surrey, said being a part of the mission was exciting. '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,' he said. 'We're still so proud of what we've done, developing a payload and fitting it on to a rocket.' Sight Space from Taiwan developed a tiny satellite designed to measure stress and environmental conditions during the launch process. Etlaq momentum This was the second of five launch attempts planned at Etlaq Spaceport this year. The first in April was meant to see a 1-metre rocket lift-off but it was delayed and has not yet taken off. An attempt Stellar Kinetics is expected in October involving the Kea-2 rocket. A Kuwaiti start-up will try to launch its experimental rocket in November, and a fifth attempt will be made, again by Stellar Kinetics, in December. The spaceport's first test flight was in December 2024, when a 6.5-metre rocket blasted off on a high-altitude test flight. Etlaq is the Middle East's first commercial spaceport and is being positioned as a fast-track launch site for start-ups. It offers quick access to rocket testing, while plans for construction of a full-scale orbital spaceport are progressing ahead of a scheduled 2027 opening. This year's five launch attempts are being made possible by the new Genesis programme at Etlaq, which involved creating temporary but fully operational facilities at the spaceport. This allows companies to plan and execute high-altitude missions in as little as 13 weeks. The streamlined process is designed to cater to the growing demand from private companies, in contrast to the practice in countries such the US, where launch approval from the Federal Aviation Administration can take months. The Genesis operations occupy only about 10 per cent of the spaceport's capacity. The rest of the site is being reserved for the much larger, permanent orbital-class complex, which will feature three launch complexes and four pads, designed to support small, medium and heavy-lift vehicles. Construction on the full orbital spaceport is expected to begin next year, with commercial operations scheduled to start at the end of 2027.
Zawya
a day ago
- Science
- Zawya
Oman: 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. 2022 © All right reserved for Oman Establishment for Press, Publication and Advertising (OEPPA) Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Observer
2 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
3 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
3 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.
