Muscat – Plans are underway to launch Oman’s first CubeSat satellite into Earth’s lower orbit by the end of 2022.
The first Omani satellite in space will be the result of cooperation in developing a CubeSat between Omani company ETCO that operates in the advanced technology sector and Polish companies Tuatara and SatRevolution, kickstarting an innovative project that will place the sultanate firmly on the map of the global space industry.
Strategic collaboration for the project began at the International Astronautical Congress, held in Dubai from October 25 to 29.
In addition to representatives from ETCO, Tuatara and satellite manufacturer SatRevolution, the contract was signed in the presence of Prof Grzegorz Worchna, president of Polish Space Agency, and Dr Saud al Shuaili, head of the National Space Programme within Oman’s Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology.
On the occasion, Ammar al Rawahi, director of Astro and Space Technology at ETCO, said, “By cooperating with SatRevolution, one of the top providers of satellite imaging services, we have secured a valuable partner with great access to the latest space technology and image analysis which will support the national digitalisation strategy.”
Besides the launch of the satellite itself, a five- year collaboration between the involved parties will include designing and manufacturing a complete satellite imaging, receiving and transmission infrastructure based on CubeSat technology.
The project will be executed in stages comprising several crucial elements – design, manufacture and development of software, enabling ETCO to operate Oman’s CubeSat, creation of a ground station, and training and know-how transfer, including NASA’s best practices.
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