Muscat – Homegrown space technology company Oman Lens has announced plans to launch an advanced Omani satellite in the first half of 2026, marking a step forward in the sultanate’s space ambitions.

The satellite will feature a high-resolution 50cm panchromatic camera alongside multispectral imaging capabilities, including RGB and near-infrared (NIR) sensors. It will also carry an artificial intelligence platform capable of performing more than 400tn operations per second.

Designed for earth observation and remote sensing, the satellite will support applications such as flood prediction, urban planning, road development and vegetation monitoring.

The announcement followed a signing ceremony in which Oman Lens finalised agreements with Oman Chromite Company, Ankaa Space and Technologies, and authorised resellers including Mustafa Sultan Telecommunications, GIS HUB and Bedrock Mineral Resource Consulting.

The initiative builds on Oman Lens’ first satellite – OL1 – launched in November 2024, which provided 1m resolution imagery. The new satellite aims to integrate AI with high-resolution data to enhance monitoring of environmental and urban developments.

In partnership with Star Vision Space and the Bahrain Space Agency, Oman Lens has developed an on-board processing algorithm that distinguishes between cloud cover and the Earth’s surface, improving accuracy for natural resource management and environmental monitoring across the Middle East and North Africa.

Ali bin Nasser al Wahaibi, Director of Marketing and Sales at Oman Lens, described the upcoming launch as “a historic moment in Oman’s journey into space, reinforcing its regional leadership in space technology”. He added that the mission underscores the company’s commitment to national talent, AI development and remote sensing solutions to support society, the environment and the economy.

Wadha al Jumaidi, Director of Administrative Affairs at Oman Lens, informed that OL1 is registered under Oman’s name with the International Telecommunication Union, and that the new satellite will operate in the same field with higher resolution and efficiency.

The project aligns with Oman Vision 2040, which prioritises innovation and technological advancement, positioning the sultanate as a regional hub for space and AI-powered solutions.