Muscat – Orbital Kinetics Bureau (OKB), an Omani space technology consultancy, and Launch On Demand (LOD), a US-based provider of launch support and spaceport solutions, signed a strategic memorandum of understanding (MoU) on Wednesday to establish National Space Academy – a comprehensive workforce development initiative aligned with Oman’s National Space Programme and Vision 2040.

The MoU was signed by Burton Catledge, CEO of LOD, and Zaid Balushi, Founder and Director of OKB, at the Middle East Space Conference 2026 in Muscat. The agreement establishes a framework for regulatory capacity building, executive leadership programmes, technical training for engineers and operators, and certification programmes aligned with international standards including FAA Part 450/420 requirements.

The agreement directly addresses the workforce capability gap identified as Oman’s primary constraint in achieving operational space launch readiness. Following the historic Duqm-1 launch on December 5, 2024 – the first experimental rocket launched from Omani soil and the MENA region – the academy will accelerate Oman’s path to operational capability by an estimated 12-18 months.

“Space is not a departure from Oman’s economic diversification goals – it is the natural evolution. From centuries of maritime trade to the frontier of orbital commerce, the sultanate has always positioned itself at the crossroads of global connectivity. The National Space Academy will ensure we have the skilled workforce to seize this opportunity,“ said Balushi.

The academy will deliver training across three tiers: executive leadership programmes for government officials and policymakers, technical certification for launch operations personnel and regulatory specialists, and supplier certification programmes for Omani companies seeking to participate in spaceport operations. The academy targets over 500 certified professionals by 2028 and aims to establish Oman as the GCC’s regional centre of excellence for space workforce development.

LOD brings proprietary technology validated across numerous civil and commercial launches, including the DART flight safety analysis tool, SLSP weather constraint platform and SMARTLAUNCH window optimisation system. The partnership combines LOD’s technical foundation with OKB’s regional expertise and stakeholder relationships essential for successful programme implementation in the GCC region.