Oman plans to build the Middle East’s first space rocket launch centre this year.
Located in the port town of Duqm, the Etlaq Space Launch Complex, a project by the National Aerospace Services Company, could see its first rocket launch early next year.
However, it will take three years to fully complete the centre.
“We have two main goals with the Duqm launch land: to build a launch centre for commercial, professional and educational rocket users to assemble, test and launch from,” Nascom said.
It will serve scientists, researchers and those interested in doing experiments in the space sector, artificial intelligence and advanced technology
Bahiya Al Shuaibi,
Oman’s Global Space and Technology Company
“The launch centre will be globally accessible for expanding rocket companies, and locally available for educational research programmes.”
Private space companies, such as Virgin Galactic and Blue Origin, have eyed the Middle East, especially the Emirates, for spaceports. But nothing has materialised, even though the UAE's space strategy includes setting up a launch pad for space tourism flights.
Oman’s plans could give a significant boost to the region’s space programmes, as private companies and government agencies could use the pad for orbital launches.
First suborbital launch from Oman
Nascom also hopes to build the first Omani suborbital rocket that would be launched from the complex.
“The rockets will inspire the youth to pursue science and technology and will set a standard for future generations to achieve and surpass,” the company said.
It plans to develop rockets with hybrid-solid engines.
“The solid fuel which we have been testing is much safer and environmentally friendly than the fuels used in liquid engines,” Nascom said.
“The scale of rocket we are developing is comparable to the suborbital rockets which are launched by universities and colleges in the USA, which measure between 3 to 6 metres in length.”
Why Duqm?
The port’s equatorial positioning makes it an ideal spot for launches, as the rocket can take advantage of the Earth’s rotational speeds.
“Internationally verified studies have identified that Wilayat Al-Duqm’s equatorial positioning places it in the top 5 most efficient rocket launch latitudes in the world,” Nascom said.
“Considering the data, and our own site analysis, we acknowledge the location as an important national asset for Oman which must be developed.
“A national asset as such will continue to increase in importance over the next two decades as global industries look for solutions in space.”
The Duqm Port opened in February as part of Oman’s efforts to diversify its economy and expand its infrastructure.
It was developed in partnership with the Belgium’s Port of Antwerp and received major investment from China.
Oman’s space ambitions
Oman has big plans in space.
It plans to build a space research centre for simulation missions and science experiments in the Duqm district’s Artificial Intelligence Zone.
The project is called the Space Settlement Centre.
Bahiya Al Shuaibi, chief executive officer of Oman’s Global Space and Technology Company, said the centre would help scientists carry out research.
“The project aims to simulate a space environment to study the behaviour of astronauts before joining the actual astronaut flights,” she said.
“It will serve scientists, researchers and those interested in doing experiments in the space sector, artificial intelligence and advanced technology.”
Oman space programme has had a shaky start.
Its first satellite, Aman, was destroyed earlier this year during a failed Virgin Orbit launch.
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Important questions to consider
1. Where on the plane does my pet travel?
There are different types of travel available for pets:
- Manifest cargo
- Excess luggage in the hold
- Excess luggage in the cabin
Each option is safe. The feasibility of each option is based on the size and breed of your pet, the airline they are traveling on and country they are travelling to.
2. What is the difference between my pet traveling as manifest cargo or as excess luggage?
If traveling as manifest cargo, your pet is traveling in the front hold of the plane and can travel with or without you being on the same plane. The cost of your pets travel is based on volumetric weight, in other words, the size of their travel crate.
If traveling as excess luggage, your pet will be in the rear hold of the plane and must be traveling under the ticket of a human passenger. The cost of your pets travel is based on the actual (combined) weight of your pet in their crate.
3. What happens when my pet arrives in the country they are traveling to?
As soon as the flight arrives, your pet will be taken from the plane straight to the airport terminal.
If your pet is traveling as excess luggage, they will taken to the oversized luggage area in the arrival hall. Once you clear passport control, you will be able to collect them at the same time as your normal luggage. As you exit the airport via the ‘something to declare’ customs channel you will be asked to present your pets travel paperwork to the customs official and / or the vet on duty.
If your pet is traveling as manifest cargo, they will be taken to the Animal Reception Centre. There, their documentation will be reviewed by the staff of the ARC to ensure all is in order. At the same time, relevant customs formalities will be completed by staff based at the arriving airport.
4. How long does the travel paperwork and other travel preparations take?
This depends entirely on the location that your pet is traveling to. Your pet relocation compnay will provide you with an accurate timeline of how long the relevant preparations will take and at what point in the process the various steps must be taken.
In some cases they can get your pet ‘travel ready’ in a few days. In others it can be up to six months or more.
5. What vaccinations does my pet need to travel?
Regardless of where your pet is traveling, they will need certain vaccinations. The exact vaccinations they need are entirely dependent on the location they are traveling to. The one vaccination that is mandatory for every country your pet may travel to is a rabies vaccination.
Other vaccinations may also be necessary. These will be advised to you as relevant. In every situation, it is essential to keep your vaccinations current and to not miss a due date, even by one day. To do so could severely hinder your pets travel plans.
Source: Pawsome Pets UAE
