Launcher (spaceport)
✓ ConceptDesign · NowBuildTestCertificationIn service
First commercial launch site in the Middle East; developing local skills in launch operations, propellant handling and range services.
Etlaq is a commercial spaceport being built near the Special Economic Zone at Duqm, Al Wusta Governorate, on Oman's Arabian Sea coast at about 18° north. It is run by Etlaq, a subsidiary of the National Aerospace Services Company (NASCOM). Founder and CEO of both is Sayyid Azzan bin Qais Al Said. Headquarters are in Muscat. Its pitch is a near-equatorial site with open ocean to the south and east, giving low-inclination, mid-inclination and sun-synchronous orbits from one place, plus the nearby Duqm airport and deep-water port.
Origins: NASCOM announced the concept in January 2023. Oman published its National Space Policy that year. In January 2024 Omantel became the main investor in the ground launch infrastructure. Early construction began in 2024. A memorandum with US firm ABL Space Systems to study RS1 launches followed in June 2024. In 2024 Etlaq set up its Takween ("Genesis") programme, which takes suborbital and experimental customers from planning to launch in about 14 weeks.
Key dates: Duqm-1, a 6.5 m experimental rocket designed for 140 km, launched on 5 Dec 2024 — the first rocket launch from Oman. On 20–21 Feb 2025 PLD Space (Spain) picked Etlaq as the second launch site for Miura 5, from 2027. Duqm-2 (Stellar Kinetics' 12 m, two-stage Kea-1, with UK and Taiwanese university payloads) was halted before ignition on 13 Jul 2025 by a valve-actuator fault. In October 2025 the Civil Aviation Authority issued directive CAD 5-01, a launch licensing framework with approvals in as little as 45 days and no annual cap on launches.
Setbacks: of five test launches announced for 2025 (Horus-4, Duqm-2, Duqm-3, Ambition-3, Duqm-4), sources opened confirm none flew. Horus-4's April 2025 hop was scrubbed for weather and no later flight is reported. Duqm-2 did not ignite. The full-operations target has moved between "2026/2027" (Dec 2024), "by 2030" (The National, Dec 2024) and 2027 (2025–2026 statements).
Status 2026: HyImpulse (Germany) signed a letter of intent on 2 Jun 2026. Latitude (France) signed one on 1 Jul 2026, during the Sultan's state visit to France. Advanced Rocket Technologies (ART) static-fired Oman's first commercially built solid motor with Aqtar Space Technologies; the case ruptured late in the burn (reported 30 Jul 2026). Karman X1 flew on 1 Oct 2026 to about 10 km; the upper stage was not recovered. OculloSpace has proposed a follow-on rocket, AZAD-2, aimed at 100 km with up to 5 kg of payload; no date is set. On 8 Oct 2026 the head of Oman's National Space Programme described Etlaq as private-sector-led, with government providing regulation and coordination.
Next: the plan is three launch complexes (micro, large orbital and suborbital), growing to four pads including reusable systems, with orbital operations from 2027.
Showing 1–4 of 6
January 2023 (month only)
The National Aerospace Services Company (NASCOM) announced a commercial spaceport at Duqm, at about 18° north.
Why it matters: A Gulf launch site with open ocean to the south and east, near an airport and deep-water port.
9 January 2024
Omantel became the primary investor in the spaceport's ground launch infrastructure.
Why it matters: Local corporate funding behind the site's first phase.
25 June 2024
Etlaq signed a memorandum with ABL Space Systems (USA) to explore RS1 orbital launches; no later activity has been found.
Why it matters: The first foreign launch company to sign; shows how many early deals stay at MoU stage.
5 December 2024
NASCOM launched Duqm-1, a 6.5 m experimental rocket designed for 140 km, the first rocket launch from Oman.
Why it matters: Proved the site and range procedures.
20–21 February 2025
PLD Space (Spain) chose Etlaq as the second launch site for its Miura 5 orbital rocket, from 2027, and is to design and build its own pad there.
Why it matters: The anchor orbital customer for the spaceport.
13 July 2025
Stellar Kinetics' two-stage Kea-1 rocket, carrying UK and Taiwanese university payloads, was halted before ignition by a valve-actuator fault.
Why it matters: One of several 2025 tests that did not fly as planned.
16 October 2025
Oman's Civil Aviation Authority issued directive CAD 5-01, with launch approvals in as little as 45 days and no annual cap on launches.
Why it matters: Fast licensing is a selling point against other spaceports.
2 June and 1 July 2026
HyImpulse (Germany) signed a letter of intent to assess hybrid-engine missions, and Latitude (France) one for its first experimental launch from Oman, targeted for late 2027.
Why it matters: More European launch firms looking at the site, though not yet firm contracts.
July 2026 (reported 30 July)
Advanced Rocket Technologies and Aqtar Space Technologies static-fired Oman's first commercially built solid motor at Etlaq; the case ruptured late in the burn.
Why it matters: Early local propulsion work, with lessons still to learn.
1 October 2026
OculloSpace's two-stage Azad Dreamer, flown with Stellar Kinetics MCT and carrying a payload for Orbit2Orbit, completed both motor burns and reached about 10 km; Oman's government called it the second successful launch, but the upper stage was lost at sea when its parachute did not open.
Why it matters: The spaceport's first flight with paying foreign customers.
Late 2027 (target)
Latitude's first experimental launch from Oman is targeted for late 2027 under its letter of intent.
What to watch: Watch whether letters of intent become firm launch contracts.
2027 (year only)
PLD Space plans its first Miura 5 launch from Etlaq in 2027, with full commercial operations targeted the same year.
What to watch: Watch for pad construction, as no orbital launch has yet taken place from Oman.
Showing 1–1 of 3
Partners and customers as announced by Etlaq, the Omani government and the press to 9 Nov 2026; most are letters of intent or MoUs, not firm launch contracts. No orbital launch has yet taken place.
Showing 1–1 of 3
| Compared item | ~18° N | Not stated in source opened | Not stated in source opened ("northern vantage point") |
|---|---|---|---|
| First orbital attempt | Planned 2027 (Miura 5) | 22 Dec 2025 (Innospace HANBIT-Nano, first commercial attempt) | 30 Mar 2025 (Isar Aerospace Spectrum) |
| Result | — | Failed about one minute after lift-off | Flight ended by range at about 30 s |
| Suborbital record | Duqm-1 (Dec 2024), Karman X1 (Oct 2026) | Not covered | Not covered |
| Anchor customers | PLD Space, Latitude (LoI), HyImpulse (LoI) | Innospace (South Korea) | Isar Aerospace (Germany) |
| Regulation | CAD 5-01, approvals in ~45 days | Not covered | Norwegian CAA launch licence |
Free every Friday
Market Pulse, the nine regions and a course of the week — one email, free every Friday.
Your email address is used only to send you the free weekly edition and is never sold or shared. You can unsubscribe from any edition.