Oman’s Etlaq spaceport is positioning itself as a fast-track launch site for start-ups, offering quick access to rocket testing, while plans for construction of a full-scale orbital spaceport are progressing ahead of a scheduled 2027 opening.
Through its Genesis programme, Etlaq has created temporary but fully operational facilities at the coastal desert site in Duqm, allowing companies to plan and execute high-altitude missions in as little as 13 weeks.
The streamlined process is designed to cater to the growing demand from private launch companies, in stark contrast to the practice in countries such the US, where launch approval from the Federal Aviation Administration can take months.
Julanda Al-Riyami, chief commercial officer of Etlaq spaceport, told The National the Genesis programme will continue until commercial operations begin in 2027.
“The facilities for the programme were established to allow launchers to come in, conduct their launch and finish their mission,” he said.
The Genesis operations occupy only about 10 per cent of the total space allocated for the spaceport.
The rest of the site is being reserved for the much larger, permanent orbital-class complex, which will feature three launch complexes and four pads, designed to support small, medium and heavy-lift vehicles.
Construction on the full orbital spaceport is expected to begin next year, with commercial operations scheduled to start at the end of 2027.
Mr Al-Riyami said regulatory frameworks have already been established and the focus has now shifted to implementing them as the detailed designs near completion.
Meanwhile, the Genesis phase is acting as a critical learning curve for the Etlaq team.
The spaceport plans to carry out five test launches this year to gain experience in handling a number of missions and supporting diverse customer needs.
It hosted its first launch in December, when a 6.2-metre rocket blasted off on a high-altitude test flight.
“We're pushing ourselves,” said Mr Al-Riyami. "Each launch tests a different kind of system on the launcher. We're conducting safety analyses, involving the right authorities and catering to mission timelines – all to ensure we have a reliable launch site.
One of those customers is Advanced Rocket Technologies (Art), a start-up based in London preparing for the first flight of its Horus-4 rocket from Etlaq in the coming days.
Seif Eldein Zahran, chief executive of Art, told The National the vehicle is designed to reach 75 metres altitude, primarily to test the rocket’s take-off and descent algorithms, a critical step towards ensuring future reusability.
Reusable rockets are seen as key to cutting the cost of access to space, in a business model popularised by SpaceX.
“Our reusability is key for offering a lower price per kilogram for all international and local clients,” said Mr Zahran.
“This debut launch is a test bed for us to prove that we can successfully take off, land and then scale up to much bigger, higher rockets.”
Mr Zahran said Art had selected Etlaq spaceport because “everything was ready”, such as the launch pad and all necessary regulations. “It's a perfect fit for us because we're catering for the Middle East and Africa,” he said.
The speed and flexibility offered at Etlaq could give start-ups a vital head-start in the global launch market.
While take-offs often capture public attention, Etlaq is also investing in public engagement and workforce development.
Its first fanzone experience, Etlaq FX, was held alongside the planned launch of Horus-4 this week, bringing in pupils from Omani schools to learn about robotics, satellite building and bottle rocket construction.
Strong winds, however, led to the launch being postponed until next week.
“The idea for the fanzone started after our first launch in December,” said Mr Al-Riyami. "We noticed a lot of interest from the local and regional community.
“The fan zone was designed as a safe and accessible place for people to come, engage and be inspired about the space industry.”
After Horus-4, the next launch from Etlaq is expected at the end of June or in early July, with three more planned for nearer the end of the year.
A list of the animal rescue organisations in the UAE
Islamophobia definition
A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.
Manchester City 4
Otamendi (52) Sterling (59) Stones (67) Brahim Diaz (81)
Real Madrid 1
Oscar (90)
Asia Cup Qualifier
Venue: Kuala Lumpur
Result: Winners play at Asia Cup in Dubai and Abu Dhabi in September
Fixtures:
Wed Aug 29: Malaysia v Hong Kong, Nepal v Oman, UAE v Singapore
Thu Aug 30: UAE v Nepal, Hong Kong v Singapore, Malaysia v Oman
Sat Sep 1: UAE v Hong Kong, Oman v Singapore, Malaysia v Nepal
Sun Sep 2: Hong Kong v Oman, Malaysia v UAE, Nepal v Singapore
Tue Sep 4: Malaysia v Singapore, UAE v Oman, Nepal v Hong Kong
Thu Sep 6: Final
Asia Cup
Venue: Dubai and Abu Dhabi
Schedule: Sep 15-28
Teams: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, plus the winner of the Qualifier
Heather, the Totality
Matthew Weiner,
Canongate
The biog
Family: wife, four children, 11 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren
Reads: Newspapers, historical, religious books and biographies
Education: High school in Thatta, a city now in Pakistan
Regrets: Not completing college in Karachi when universities were shut down following protests by freedom fighters for the British to quit India
Happiness: Work on creative ideas, you will also need ideals to make people happy
'Ghostbusters: From Beyond'
Director: Jason Reitman
Starring: Paul Rudd, Carrie Coon, Finn Wolfhard, Mckenna Grace
Rating: 2/5
The%20Roundup
%3Cp%3EDirector%3A%20Lee%20Sang-yong%3Cbr%3EStars%3A%20Ma%20Dong-seok%2C%20Sukku%20Son%2C%20Choi%20Gwi-hwa%3Cbr%3ERating%3A%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
'C'mon C'mon'
Director:Mike Mills
Stars:Joaquin Phoenix, Gaby Hoffmann, Woody Norman
Rating: 4/5
What is 'Soft Power'?
Soft power was first mentioned in 1990 by former US Defence Secretary Joseph Nye.
He believed that there were alternative ways of cultivating support from other countries, instead of achieving goals using military strength.
Soft power is, at its root, the ability to convince other states to do what you want without force.
This is traditionally achieved by proving that you share morals and values.
Company%C2%A0profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ETuhoon%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EYear%20started%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EJune%202021%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECo-founders%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFares%20Ghandour%2C%20Dr%20Naif%20Almutawa%2C%20Aymane%20Sennoussi%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ERiyadh%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Ehealth%20care%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESize%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E15%20employees%2C%20%24250%2C000%20in%20revenue%0D%3Cbr%3EI%3Cstrong%3Envestment%20stage%3A%20s%3C%2Fstrong%3Eeed%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EWamda%20Capital%2C%20Nuwa%20Capital%2C%20angel%20investors%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The National Archives, Abu Dhabi
Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.
Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en
'Texas Chainsaw Massacre'
Rating: 1 out of 4
Running time: 81 minutes
Director: David Blue Garcia
Starring: Sarah Yarkin, Elsie Fisher, Mark Burnham
How to wear a kandura
Dos
- Wear the right fabric for the right season and occasion
- Always ask for the dress code if you don’t know
- Wear a white kandura, white ghutra / shemagh (headwear) and black shoes for work
- Wear 100 per cent cotton under the kandura as most fabrics are polyester
Don’ts
- Wear hamdania for work, always wear a ghutra and agal
- Buy a kandura only based on how it feels; ask questions about the fabric and understand what you are buying
UAE SQUAD FOR ASIAN JIU-JITSU CHAMPIONSHIP
Men’s squad: Faisal Al Ketbi, Omar Al Fadhli, Zayed Al Kathiri, Thiab Al Nuaimi, Khaled Al Shehhi, Mohamed Ali Al Suwaidi, Farraj Khaled Al Awlaqi, Muhammad Al Ameri, Mahdi Al Awlaqi, Saeed Al Qubaisi, Abdullah Al Qubaisi and Hazaa Farhan
Women's squad: Hamda Al Shekheili, Shouq Al Dhanhani, Balqis Abdullah, Sharifa Al Namani, Asma Al Hosani, Maitha Sultan, Bashayer Al Matrooshi, Maha Al Hanaei, Shamma Al Kalbani, Haya Al Jahuri, Mahra Mahfouz, Marwa Al Hosani, Tasneem Al Jahoori and Maryam Al Amri