ABL Space Systems plans to launch its RS1 rocket from the Etlaq Spaceport in Oman's Duqm, once the site is developed. Photo: ABL
ABL Space Systems plans to launch its RS1 rocket from the Etlaq Spaceport in Oman's Duqm, once the site is developed. Photo: ABL
ABL Space Systems plans to launch its RS1 rocket from the Etlaq Spaceport in Oman's Duqm, once the site is developed. Photo: ABL
ABL Space Systems plans to launch its RS1 rocket from the Etlaq Spaceport in Oman's Duqm, once the site is developed. Photo: ABL

US firm plans to launch rockets from Omani spaceport


Sarwat Nasir
  • English
  • Arabic

An American company has expressed interest in launching its rockets from a spaceport that Oman is developing in its port town of Duqm.

The ABL Space Systems and Oman’s Etlaq Spaceport signed an agreement last week to explore possibilities of launching the company’s RS1 rockets.

They did not say when the launch would take place, but it could be nearer the end of the decade, depending on the progress of the rocket and spaceport.

If these plans go through, it would help bring satellite launch capability to the Gulf, helping to significantly boost the space sector in the region.

“The Gulf region space ecosystem is growing immensely, with new investment and large ambition in exploration, science missions and constellation deployment,” Harry O'Hanley, chief executive of ABL, said.

Oman announced plans to build a spaceport that supports all sizes of launch vehicles in 2022, with the site being able to host some launches by 2027 and becoming fully operational by 2030.

Azzan Al Said, chairman of Nascom – the company overseeing the project, had told The National earlier this year that the spaceport would have three launch complexes to host medium to large, small to medium and micro rockets.

The Etlaq Spaceport in Oman is an ideal location for rocket companies to launch from. Source: Etlaq
The Etlaq Spaceport in Oman is an ideal location for rocket companies to launch from. Source: Etlaq

The port’s equatorial positioning makes it an ideal spot for launches, as the rockets can take advantage of the Earth’s rotational speeds.

“The only other port closer to the equator is the one in French Guiana, but we don't see them as direct competitors because those are in completely different hemispheres,” said Mr Al Said.

“The other reason that makes Oman attractive for space launches is that [to] the east is the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean.

“Having that downrange clearance makes it much more favourable and safer for launches to take place without putting people in harm's way.”

ABL's rocket yet to reach orbit

The company attempted to launch the rocket on its maiden flight in January 2023 to deliver miniature satellites into orbit from an Alaskan spaceport.

It, however, failed after suffering a complete loss of power 10.87 seconds after lift-off.

The company is planning to launch the rocket on its second flight later this month from Alaska.

The RS1 rocket is a small, expendable two-stage launch vehicle that can carry payloads of up to 1,350kg to low-Earth orbit.

It aims to provide low-cost access to space for small satellites and other payloads.

Strict laws for US rocket companies

Before ABL can launch from Oman, the company needs to ensure it meets the legal requirements listed in the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR).

The US regulations restrict American companies from exporting certain technology, which could explain why companies such as Blue Origin and Virgin Galactic have not been able to launch their space tourism flights from the Middle East, despite expressing interest.

A statement by Etlaq Spacesport said the agreement signed with ABL also focuses on “developing regulatory and export control frameworks with both the US and Oman governments”.

Mr Al Said had earlier told The National that Nascom would work towards “removing that barrier” once it starts getting interest from launch companies.

“There are things such as ITAR and safeguard agreements which would have to be put in place between Oman and the United States for them to operate here,” he said.

“It's a regulatory barrier but it's one that's easy to open up discussion on once we actually get interest.”

The Kingfisher Secret
Anonymous, Penguin Books

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Developer: Big Ape Productions
Publisher: LucasArts
Console: PlayStation 1 & 5, Sega Saturn
Rating: 4/5

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
 
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
 
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
 
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
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Global state-owned investor ranking by size

1.

United States

2.

China

3.

UAE

4.

Japan

5

Norway

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Canada

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Singapore

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Australia

9.

Saudi Arabia

10.

South Korea

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UAE tour of the Netherlands

UAE squad: Rohan Mustafa (captain), Shaiman Anwar, Ghulam Shabber, Mohammed Qasim, Rameez Shahzad, Mohammed Usman, Adnan Mufti, Chirag Suri, Ahmed Raza, Imran Haider, Mohammed Naveed, Amjad Javed, Zahoor Khan, Qadeer Ahmed
Fixtures:
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Wednesday, 2nd 50-over match
Thursday, 3rd 50-over match

ABU DHABI ORDER OF PLAY

Starting at 10am:

Daria Kasatkina v Qiang Wang

Veronika Kudermetova v Annet Kontaveit (10)

Maria Sakkari (9) v Anastasia Potapova

Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova v Ons Jabeur (15)

Donna Vekic (16) v Bernarda Pera 

Ekaterina Alexandrova v Zarina Diyas

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.

Part three: an affection for classic cars lives on

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

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

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 

Our family matters legal consultant

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

The story in numbers

18

This is how many recognised sects Lebanon is home to, along with about four million citizens

450,000

More than this many Palestinian refugees are registered with UNRWA in Lebanon, with about 45 per cent of them living in the country’s 12 refugee camps

1.5 million

There are just under 1 million Syrian refugees registered with the UN, although the government puts the figure upwards of 1.5m

73

The percentage of stateless people in Lebanon, who are not of Palestinian origin, born to a Lebanese mother, according to a 2012-2013 study by human rights organisation Frontiers Ruwad Association

18,000

The number of marriages recorded between Lebanese women and foreigners between the years 1995 and 2008, according to a 2009 study backed by the UN Development Programme

77,400

The number of people believed to be affected by the current nationality law, according to the 2009 UN study

4,926

This is how many Lebanese-Palestinian households there were in Lebanon in 2016, according to a census by the Lebanese-Palestinian dialogue committee

The specs: 2019 BMW X4

Price, base / as tested: Dh276,675 / Dh346,800

Engine: 3.0-litre turbocharged in-line six-cylinder

Transmission: Eight-speed automatic

Power: 354hp @ 5,500rpm

Torque: 500Nm @ 1,550rpm

Fuel economy, combined: 9.0L / 100km

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Orlando Crowcroft
Zed Books

Cinco in numbers

Dh3.7 million

The estimated cost of Victoria Swarovski’s gem-encrusted Michael Cinco wedding gown

46

The number, in kilograms, that Swarovski’s wedding gown weighed.

1,000

The hours it took to create Cinco’s vermillion petal gown, as seen in his atelier [note, is the one he’s playing with in the corner of a room]

50

How many looks Cinco has created in a new collection to celebrate Ballet Philippines’ 50th birthday

3,000

The hours needed to create the butterfly gown worn by Aishwarya Rai to the 2018 Cannes Film Festival.

1.1 million

The number of followers that Michael Cinco’s Instagram account has garnered.

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%3Cp%3EThe%20%3Cem%3ESafer%3C%2Fem%3E%20has%20been%20moored%20off%20the%20Yemeni%20coast%20of%20Ras%20Issa%20since%201988.%3Cbr%3EThe%20Houthis%20have%20been%20blockading%20UN%20efforts%20to%20inspect%20and%20maintain%20the%20vessel%20since%202015%2C%20when%20the%20war%20between%20the%20group%20and%20the%20Yemen%20government%2C%20backed%20by%20the%20Saudi-led%20coalition%20began.%3Cbr%3ESince%20then%2C%20a%20handful%20of%20people%20acting%20as%20a%20%3Ca%20href%3D%22https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.ae%2Furl%3Fsa%3Dt%26rct%3Dj%26q%3D%26esrc%3Ds%26source%3Dweb%26cd%3D%26ved%3D2ahUKEwiw2OfUuKr4AhVBuKQKHTTzB7cQFnoECB4QAQ%26url%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.thenationalnews.com%252Fworld%252Fmena%252Fyemen-s-floating-bomb-tanker-millions-kept-safe-by-skeleton-crew-1.1104713%26usg%3DAOvVaw0t9FPiRsx7zK7aEYgc65Ad%22%20target%3D%22_self%22%3Eskeleton%20crew%3C%2Fa%3E%2C%20have%20performed%20rudimentary%20maintenance%20work%20to%20keep%20the%20%3Cem%3ESafer%3C%2Fem%3E%20intact.%3Cbr%3EThe%20%3Cem%3ESafer%3C%2Fem%3E%20is%20connected%20to%20a%20pipeline%20from%20the%20oil-rich%20city%20of%20Marib%2C%20and%20was%20once%20a%20hub%20for%20the%20storage%20and%20export%20of%20crude%20oil.%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EThe%20%3Cem%3ESafer%3C%2Fem%3E%E2%80%99s%20environmental%20and%20humanitarian%20impact%20may%20extend%20well%20beyond%20Yemen%2C%20experts%20believe%2C%20into%20the%20surrounding%20waters%20of%20Saudi%20Arabia%2C%20Djibouti%20and%20Eritrea%2C%20impacting%20marine-life%20and%20vital%20infrastructure%20like%20desalination%20plans%20and%20fishing%20ports.%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.

When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.

How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
Du Plessis plans his retirement

South Africa captain Faf du Plessis said on Friday the Twenty20 World Cup in Australia in two years' time will be his last.

Du Plessis, 34, who has led his country in two World T20 campaigns, in 2014 and 2016, is keen to play a third but will then step aside.

"The T20 World Cup in 2020 is something I'm really looking forward to. I think right now that will probably be the last tournament for me," he said in Brisbane ahead of a one-off T20 against Australia on Saturday. 

City's slump

L - Juventus, 2-0
D - C Palace, 2-2
W - N Forest, 3-0
L - Liverpool, 2-0
D - Feyenoord, 3-3
L - Tottenham, 4-0
L - Brighton, 2-1
L - Sporting, 4-1
L - Bournemouth, 2-1
L - Tottenham, 2-1

Updated: July 03, 2024, 12:57 PM`