Latest news with #NASCOM
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. (
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.
