Latest news with #Duqm-1
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
Etlaq Spaceport announces plans for five test launches in 2025 at Etlaq Launch Conference
Muscat, Oman: Etlaq Spaceport, the first commercial spaceport in the Middle East and North Africa, has announced plans for five test launches in 2025 during the highly anticipated Etlaq Launch Conference 2025. These missions will serve as critical technology demonstrations, focusing on controlled ascent and descent, landing systems, stage separation, and fuel efficiency. As a globally accessible launch facility, Etlaq is collaborating with international launch partners from Kuwait, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand to execute these missions. This marks a major milestone in positioning Oman as a key player in the global space industry and reinforces Etlaq's commitment to fostering international cooperation in space exploration. The Genesis Program: Building Oman's Spacefaring Future At the heart of Etlaq's mission is the Genesis Program, a pioneering initiative launched in 2024 to establish Oman's national space launch heritage. Inspired by Oman's history of seafaring excellence, the Genesis Program is the natural next step in transitioning the nation into a spacefaring future. Initially conceptualized as a proof of concept for the National Space Services Company's (NASCOM) experimental Duqm-1 mission, the Genesis Program aims to host as many launches as safely feasible from 2025 to 2027. By working with multiple companies operating suborbital and experimental launch vehicles, Etlaq is laying the groundwork for full-scale orbital launch operations. The program is structured to be rapidly deployable, ensuring flexibility in launch scheduling while maintaining the highest safety and sustainability standards. A Commitment to Safety and Sustainable Space Access Etlaq reinforced that it remains steadfast in its commitment to safety, ensuring that all five planned launches will be conducted under strict safety protocols and environmental considerations. The spaceport's location in Wilayat Al Duqm provides a secure controlled exclusion zone, minimizing risks and optimizing launch efficiency. 'Safety is our top priority. Every mission will be conducted with rigorous risk assessments to ensure operational integrity without compromising mission success,' said an Etlaq spokesperson at the conference. Strategic Agreements and Industry Partnerships Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Ministry of Transport,Communications and Information Technology (MTCIT) and National Aerospace Services Company (NASCOM): As part of the ministry's ongoing efforts to achieve the vision of the National Space Sector Policy and its Executive Program 2023-2033, to establish the Sultanate as the regional gateway for space services and applications, the ministry signed today a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Aerospace Services Company (NASCOM) to grant the company the status of a 'Qualified Entity' for building and operating spaceports, reinforcing the Sultanate's ambitions to become a leading space hub. This agreement aims to develop the capabilities of the Omani private sector, enabling partnerships in the implementation of strategic projects, attracting foreign investments, and facilitating the transfer and localization of advanced technologies. The agreement was signed on behalf of the ministry by His Excellency Dr. Ali Al Shidhani and on behalf of the company by His Highness Sayyid Azzan Al Said. Etlaq's Strategic Agreement with PLD Space - In a groundbreaking partnership, Etlaq has signed a strategic agreement with Spanish launch service provider PLD Space to facilitate the launch of MIURA 5 from Oman, marking a significant step in European collaboration with Oman. • MoU with SatMENA for Ground Station Services - Etlaq also signed an MoU with SatMENA, a leading satellite communication service provider, to collaborate on ground station services and operational support for upcoming launches. New Brand Identities for Etlaq and the Oman Society for Astronomy and Space - To reflect its growing ambitions and global vision, Etlaq unveiled a refreshed brand identity, signaling a new era for Oman's space industry. Additionally, the Oman Society for Astronomy and Space also introduced its new brand identity, aligning with the nation's expanding space endeavors. About Etlaq Etlaq Spaceport is the first commercial spaceport in the Middle East and North Africa. Strategically located in Wilayat Al Duqm, the spaceport benefits from its proximity to the equator, offering enhanced launch efficiency and access to a wide range of orbital inclinations. Etlaq provides dedicated infrastructure for suborbital and orbital launches, with multiple launch complexes, mission control facilities, and integration capabilities designed to support commercial satellite deployment, research missions, and emerging space technologies. As Oman's gateway to space, Etlaq is committed to fostering international collaborations, advancing regional space capabilities, and supporting the global launch industry.
The National
20-02-2025
- Business
- The National
Oman set to launch five rockets from new spaceport in 2025 with fan zone to open to public
Oman is planning to launch five rockets from its developing spaceport this year – starting in April – with a fan zone to be opened in the coming months to allow the public to witness the series of landmark lift-offs. The Etlaq spaceport, which has been in the works since 2023, is in southern Duqm and is set to have three launch complexes where vehicles of various sizes will blast off into the skies. The announcement of the fan zone, which is expected to be introduced this summer and will be free of charge, was made at the Etlaq conference in Muscat on Thursday. The timeline of the launches for this year was also unveiled. Zainab Alsalhi, business development manager for Etlaq, said that a registration portal for those interested in attending the launch will soon be made available on the company's website and promoted on their social media platforms. 'I'm happy to introduce one of the best experiences at the launch event – the fan zone. Most of you have been dreaming of watching the moment of launch and that's why we've created this opportunity,' she said. It is not yet clear how far the fan zone will be from the launch site, but binoculars will be provided for an enhanced view. There will also be a live launch feed so the public can join the countdown to lift-off. The ticket will be valid for the launch window in case lift-off is postponed because of weather or technical issues. The site has already hosted its first launch in December, when an experimental vehicle soared 140km above sea level, crossing the Karman line, recognised as the boundary of space, at speeds of 1,530m/s. This was called the Duqm-1 mission, and the upcoming ones will be the Unity-1 mission in late April, Duqm-2 is expected in late June, Duqm-3 in October, Ambition-3 in November, and Duqm-4 in December. The spaceport is giving an opportunity to start-up launch companies to test their high-altitude and suborbital rockets, including the Kuwait Space Rockets organisation, which will launch the Ambition-3 vehicle 15km above sea level. The multiple space launches and fan zone are part of Etlaq's Genesis Programme, which was launched on Thursday as a stepping stone for the start of the spaceport's commercial operations in 2027. 'We believe such a heritage is a fundamental prerequisite to have before commercial spaceport operations in 2027,' said Azzan Al Said, chairman of the National Aerospace Services Company (Nascom) – the company overseeing the Etlaq project. 'The programme is designed to break down the absolute essential elements of planning and conducting rocket launches. 'To achieve this, from this year up until 2027, the programme will host as many launches as reasonably and safely as possible, with multiple launch companies operating suborbital and experimental launch vehicles.' As the global space industry expands, more countries are developing spaceports to accommodate a growing demand for satellite launches, suborbital tourism and scientific missions. In the UK, several new spaceports are under development, including Spaceport Cornwall, which has already hosted its first launch attempt, and upcoming vertical launch sites in Scotland, such as SaxaVord Spaceport and Sutherland Spaceport. These facilities are positioning the UK as a key player in European small satellite launches. Oman's spaceport could similarly create new opportunities for neighbouring Arab nations looking to expand their presence in the space sector. Mr Al Said said that the spaceport is being developed to meet US Federal Aviation Administration standards to attract international launch companies. 'The launcher can be by any company, as long as they are a suborbital or experimental launch company from a non-US sanctioned country, and that makes it easier for us to trust who we're doing business with, and also they'll be operating on the same safety standards that we are promoting,' he said. While Oman will host traditional vertical launch pads, the UAE is looking to host horizontal ones. Radian Aerospace is developing a horizontal take-off and landing, single-stage, fully reusable spaceplane called Radian One. A prototype is being tested at a small airfield in Abu Dhabi. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia is looking to enter the space tourism market by hosting high-altitude balloon flights, with companies like Halo Space planning to offer near-space experiences from the kingdom.
