Virgin Orbit's LauncherOne rocket will carry the CubeSat into low Earth orbit. Getty
Virgin Orbit's LauncherOne rocket will carry the CubeSat into low Earth orbit. Getty
Virgin Orbit's LauncherOne rocket will carry the CubeSat into low Earth orbit. Getty
Virgin Orbit's LauncherOne rocket will carry the CubeSat into low Earth orbit. Getty

Oman's first satellite ready for launch from UK spaceport


Gillian Duncan
  • English
  • Arabic

Oman’s first satellite is ready to be launched from Cornwall, south-western UK.

Aman, a CubeSat that is to be used for environmental surveillance, is expected to enter low Earth orbit after it blasts off from Spaceport Cornwall this month.

The satellite was this week integrated with a spacecraft during work led by Virgin Orbit. The company's LauncherOne rocket will carry the device into orbit.

It included the final cleaning and checks of the satellite to prepare it for launch.

“Satellite integration marks an important milestone in the plan to send the first Omani spacecraft into space this year," Abdulaziz Jaafar, chief executive of Omani technology company Etco, told the Oman Observer.

“It is encouraging to witness this first-of-its-kind project in the country’s history unfolding.

“And we are looking forward to seeing it through to a final stage that will occur later this year, when it will launched in to the low Earth orbit.”

Polish nanosatellite manufacturer SatRev built Aman and chief executive Grzegorz Zwolinski said the integration process was a success.

“All risks have been minimised due to the fit-check event that occurred during the previous month, where the same Virgin Orbit team was on-site at SatRev headquarters in Poland to perform a detailed walk-through of all planned integration steps," he said.

Aman will be among seven CubeSats sent into orbit during the spaceport's maiden launch.

The mission will allow Oman to join the ranks of other space nations including the UAE, which made history in 2020 when it launched a probe to Mars to study its atmosphere and climate.

Results for Stage 2

Stage 2 Yas Island to Abu Dhabi, 184 km, Road race

Overall leader: Primoz Roglic SLO (Team Jumbo - Visma)

Stage winners: 1. Fernando Gaviria COL (UAE Team Emirates) 2. Elia Viviani ITA (Deceuninck - Quick-Step) 3. Caleb Ewan AUS (Lotto - Soudal)

The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE. 

Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

Rashid & Rajab

Director: Mohammed Saeed Harib

Stars: Shadi Alfons,  Marwan Abdullah, Doaa Mostafa Ragab 

Two stars out of five 

BMW M5 specs

Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor

Power: 727hp

Torque: 1,000Nm

Transmission: 8-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh650,000

Living in...

This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.

Racecard
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North Pole stats

Distance covered: 160km

Temperature: -40°C

Weight of equipment: 45kg

Altitude (metres above sea level): 0

Terrain: Ice rock

South Pole stats

Distance covered: 130km

Temperature: -50°C

Weight of equipment: 50kg

Altitude (metres above sea level): 3,300

Terrain: Flat ice
 

The bio

Who inspires you?

I am in awe of the remarkable women in the Arab region, both big and small, pushing boundaries and becoming role models for generations. Emily Nasrallah was a writer, journalist, teacher and women’s rights activist

How do you relax?

Yoga relaxes me and helps me relieve tension, especially now when we’re practically chained to laptops and desks. I enjoy learning more about music and the history of famous music bands and genres.

What is favourite book?

The Perks of Being a Wallflower - I think I've read it more than 7 times

What is your favourite Arabic film?

Hala2 Lawen (Translation: Where Do We Go Now?) by Nadine Labaki

What is favourite English film?

Mamma Mia

Best piece of advice to someone looking for a career at Google?

If you’re interested in a career at Google, deep dive into the different career paths and pinpoint the space you want to join. When you know your space, you’re likely to identify the skills you need to develop.  

 

 

 

 

'Cheb%20Khaled'
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The specs

Engine: 0.8-litre four cylinder

Power: 70bhp

Torque: 66Nm

Transmission: four-speed manual

Price: $1,075 new in 1967, now valued at $40,000

On sale: Models from 1966 to 1970

Updated: October 06, 2022, 1:07 PM