Oman: an ideal platform for space launches
HH Sayyid Azzan Qais al Said, Founder and CEO of the National Aerospace Services Company "NASCOM" and "Etlaq" Spaceport, stated that " Etlaq " pioneered the first Middle Eastern space launch with "Duqm-1," marking Oman's inaugural step toward becoming a global space access hub. The 18-degree latitude spaceport enables multi-orbit launches, including equatorial, sun-synchronous, polar, medium Earth, and geostationary orbits.
HH Sayyid Azzan revealed that Etlaq's master plan will be operational by 2027, with its Formation Program enabling experimental launches within 14 weeks of planning since 2024. The program focuses on Omani workforce development in advanced space specialties, with current expansion including a second launch pad for experimental missions and a spacecraft assembly facility.
Dr Saud Hamid al Shukaili, Director General of Policies & Governance and Head of the National Space Program at the Ministry of Transport, Communications, and Information Technology emphasized that Oman's space launch project aims to attract global space investments while building national capabilities in spacecraft engineering, supporting Oman Vision 2040.
Furthermore, a representative at Stellar Kinetics stated that 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.The mission also aims to achieve microgravity conditions to support university-led research via two onboard scientific payloads developed by international partners.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Observer
2 hours ago
- Observer
'Rummana' Festival returns to Al Jabal Al Akhdhar
AL JABAL AL AKHDHAR: The third edition of the 'Rummana' event kicked off on Friday at the 'Jana'in' farm in Saih Qatna, Al Dakhiliyah Governorate. Running until September 27, the festival offers a rich blend of interactive family activities amidst Omani nature, celebrating sustainable agricultural tourism and empowering rural communities. Held in partnership between 'Tibi' Company and the Agricultural Tourism Development Company 'Jana'in', the event highlights the Green Mountain's agricultural and tourism heritage. Visitors can enjoy direct harvesting of seasonal fruits like pomegranates, figs and pears, alongside weekly educational workshops, acrobatic shows, family competitions and a vibrant Farmers' Market showcasing fresh local produce. The festival also features children's entertainment and diverse dining options, blending traditional charm with lively family fun. In previous seasons, 'Rummana' has made a significant impact. Last year, it attracted over 51,000 visitors and featured participation from 44 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). More than 10,000 kilogrammes of crops from Al Jabal Al Akhdhar were sold, underscoring the event's vital role in supporting local communities and strengthening agricultural supply chains. — ONA
Observer
2 hours ago
- Observer
Opec+ decision to raise production a ‘calculated risk'
MUSCAT, JULY 5 A leading Omani energy expert has described Opec+'s decision to raise oil production by 548,000 barrels per day (bpd) starting August as a 'calculated risk' based on encouraging market signals. The move, announced on Saturday, July 5, following a virtual meeting of eight oil producing nations of the Opec+ alliance, came as a surprise to analysts who had anticipated a more modest increase of 411,000 bpd. The so-called 'G8' group—comprising Oman, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Algeria, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, and the UAE—has been gradually unwinding a series of voluntary production cuts aimed at stabilizing the market. In a statement, the Opec Secretariat cited a 'steady global economic outlook and healthy market fundamentals, reflected in low oil inventories,' as justification for the higher-than-expected production increase. The Opec+ alliance is currently implementing two distinct voluntary production cuts outside the formal Opec+ framework: One involving 1.66 million bpd, in place until the end of 2025, and another 2.2 million bpd reduction, effective through Q1 of this year Commenting on Saturday's decision, Ali al Riyami, an energy analyst and former senior official at Oman's Ministry of Energy and Minerals, said the move reflects a deliberate strategy rather than a gamble. 'This adjustment is notably larger than previous hikes, raising a critical question: is Opec taking an uncalculated risk, or is this a measured gamble?' said Al Riyami. 'In my view, it's a calculated risk backed by several supportive market signals. Seasonal summer demand is typically strong, and the easing of US–China trade tensions, along with dollar weakness, could help sustain global oil demand.' He added that the timing of the announcement aligns with Opec+'s broader strategy to gradually unwind voluntary cuts ahead of Q4, when a significant supply surplus is expected, possibly extending into early next year. 'Ultimately, the hope is that the market will interpret this move constructively and that oil prices won't come under pressure come Monday,' Al Riyami noted in a social media post. Initially, the Opec+ group had committed to raising output by 137,000 bpd each month through September 2026. However, this pace was only sustained in April. In the following months—May, June, and July—production was ramped up by 411,000 bpd, with the new 548,000 bpd increase marking a further acceleration in August.
Observer
2 hours ago
- Observer
Oman, Saudi fast-track industrial integration
RIYADH: The second phase of industrial integration initiatives between Oman and Saudi Arabia (KSA) was launched in Al Riyadh as part of the work of the Economy, Trade, and Industry Committee of the Omani-Saudi Coordination Council, on Saturday. The launch ceremony was held under the auspices of Qais bin Mohammed al Yousef, Minister of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion, in the presence of Bandar bin Ibrahim al Khorayef, Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources of Saudi Arabia. The event was attended by Sayyid Najib bin Hilal bin Saud al Busaidy, the Sultanate of Oman's Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, its Permanent Representative to the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and its Permanent Representative to the Digital Cooperation Organisation in Al Riyadh, and a number of officials representing both countries. A visual presentation was staged highlighting the most prominent existing industrial initiatives between the two countries and future plans in certain sectors within the paths of joint industrial integration. A number of future initiatives aimed at enhancing industrial cooperation, expanding the scope of mutual investments, and supporting supply chains and manufacturing between the two countries, were discussed. Qais bin Mohammed al Yousef, Minister of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion, met with HH Prince Sultan bin Khalid al Saud, CEO of the Saudi Industrial Development Fund (SIDF). During the meeting, they discussed financing opportunities and financial support for joint industrial projects, as well as ways to exchange expertise in the areas of industrial zone development and financing infrastructure supporting the industrial sector. The launch of the initiatives is a step forward in the industrial partnership between the countries. It aims to enhance industrial integration, spur joint investments and foster cooperation in value chains and trade exchange. The second phase involves a package of qualitative initiatives, including the inclusion of Omani products on the list of approved industrial capabilities in Saudi Arabia, the implementation of national rules of origin to ensure equal treatment between Omani and Saudi companies in government tenders and procurement, facilitating procedures for registering industrial products with the relevant regulatory authorities in both countries, launching a fast track for conformity procedures for industrial products, exchanging investment opportunities in promising industrial sectors and enhancing integration in supply chains linked to free trade agreements and regional markets particularly in Africa. The meeting also reviewed the most prominent results achieved during the first phase of the industrial integration initiatives. These included a project to link industrial zones in the two countries, integration in the value chains of several strategic industries, exchange of industrial databases, establishment of technical working groups and activating joint coordination at international exhibitions and conferences. Al Yousef emphasised that the launch of the second phase of the industrial integration initiatives and the signing of bilateral agreements affirm the shared will of Oman and Saudi Arabia to enhance economic cooperation and industrial integration between the two countries. He noted that these initiatives are a translation of the vision of the leaderships of the two brotherly countries to establish strategic partnerships based on integration and equality, contributing to enhancing local added value, expanding the industrial production base, raising the level of trade and investment exchange, and providing a competitive business environment that supports private sector growth. — ONA
