Oman’s Etlaq Spaceport—the first commercial launch facility in the Middle East—is expecting to host five test launches this year.
Etlaq is attempting to alleviate the world’s launch capacity problem by offering regional and international companies tailored facilities to test, integrate, and launch their vehicles to orbit.
The spaceport held its inaugural launch in December with Duqm-1, Oman’s first rocket. This year, the country will host launches from international partners, in addition to more Duqm-series flights.
- In late April, London-based Advanced Rocket Technologies is expected to launch the first flight of its Horus-4 rocket.
- The Duqm-2 mission is slated to launch in June with support from the New Zealand-based Stellar Kinetics.
- Stellar Kinetics will also support the launches of Duqm-3 in October, and Duqm-4 in December.
- The Kuwait Space Rockets company will hold a test launch of its Ambition-3 vehicle in November.
Etlaq is also starting to put together its future launch portfolio. Last week, Etlaq announced a partnership with PLD Space, the Spanish company behind Miura 5, which plans to conduct multiple launches beginning as early as 2027.
The facilities: Eltaq will contain three launch complexes to support a range of launch vehicle classes, allowing the spaceport to schedule simultaneous or overlapping launches, and attract international launchers looking to reach orbit quickly.
“Launchers have a unique opportunity with us: we’re starting from a blank page, and we tailor the launch services according to the launcher’s needs,” a spokesperson from Etlaq told Payload via email. “[The facility] was built on the principle of rapid deployment, cost effectiveness, minimum viable infrastructure, and operated to US FAA and UK CAA safety guidelines.”
The vision: The spaceport is offering customers more than just launch pads in an effort to attract more business.
- Oman’s Ministry of Transport, Communications, and Information Technology signed a MOU with the country’s NASCOM organization to continue growing the spaceport’s infrastructure.
- Etlaq also signed an MOU with Oman-based SatMENA to begin offering ground station services and operational support for upcoming launches.
Ultimately, Oman’s goal is for Etlaq to act as a catalyst for the country’s nascent space economy.
“We’re looking forward to the acceleration of the space ecosystem’s growth in the country. When more players enter the industry, more jobs open up, and we begin building a more qualified and capable workforce. We would like to see launchers setting up a base in Oman to manufacture and test their vehicles,” an Etlaq spokesperson said.
