Muscat – Oman’s first spaceport Etlaq is expected to be operational by 2027, according to HH Sayyid Azzan bin Qais al Said, Founder and CEO of National Aerospace Services Company (NASCOM) and Etlaq Spaceport.

The announcement comes as Oman consolidates its position in the regional space sector following the successful launch of Duqm-1, the first commercial spacecraft to launch from Oman in 2024. The milestone marked a significant step forward in the Etlaq’s ambitions to establish a space infrastructure for commercial and scientific purposes.

Etlaq Spaceport, located in Wilayat Al Duqm, is designed to offer end-to-end logistical and technical services for orbital and sub-orbital vehicle launches. Oman’s strategic location has been highlighted as a key advantage for attracting global operators.

The Genesis Program, launched in 2024, is an initiative designed to fast-track experimental missions, enabling launch service providers to progress from mission planning to liftoff in as little as 14 weeks. Recent developments to the Genesis Program include the construction of a second launchpad and the Launch Vehicle Integration Hangar, which supports vehicle assembly, integration, and testing.

H.H. Sayyid Azzan Al Said revealed that the spaceport will eventually include four launch pads and accommodate a range of launch vehicles, from micro and small class vehicles to heavy lift reusable systems, serving both regional and global markets. In parallel, Etlaq is deeply invested in developing local talent and building national capabilities in the space industry; strengthening in-country value and establishing an expert Omani workforce to power the future of space in the region.

The next mission to launch from Etlaq Spaceport – Duqm-2 – is operated by Stellar Kinetics, an international entity with offices in New Zealand, Oman, and Portugal. The upcoming mission will be the inaugural launch of the guided two-stage experimental suborbital Kea-1 vehicle, offering a unique opportunity to test orbital class systems such as stage separation mechanisms and active guidance under unprecedented timelines. It will also carry two tethered scientific payloads in partnership with international universities for scientific research and microgravity testing, contributing to research and technology development.

Dr. Saud bin Humaid al Shuaili, Director General of Policies and Governance and Head of National Space Programme at Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology, said the spaceport project supports Oman’s strategy for space exploration.