Oman’s Etlaq spaceport in Duqm conducts successful test launch

Muscat: The “Etlaq” Spaceport in the Duqm Special Economic Zone in the Sultanate of Oman successfully conducted a test launch of the Azad Dreamer space rocket as part of a mission named Karman X1.The 4.3-metre-long rocket, weighing 26 kilogrammes, was launched from the spaceport and followed a stable ascending trajectory, while its flight data was accurately transmitted to the spaceport’s control centre. The rocket continued along its trajectory until reaching the targeted final altitude within the test range. The test did not involve reaching space. Instead, it focused on testing the launch process, the rocket’s in-flight performance, as well as the technologies and systems used during the mission.Karman X1 marks the second successful launch conducted by the Etlaq Spaceport in Duqm, following the successful launch of Duqm-1 in December 2024.The Etlaq Spaceport team in Oman prepared the launch site, supported the integration of the rocket’s components and managed safety operations within the launch area. Karman X1 is part of the “Takween” Programme, established by Etlaq in 2024 to facilitate suborbital and experimental rocket launches, with a focus on speed, efficiency, cost-effectiveness and adaptability to operational challenges.The new mission strengthens the expertise of Omani teams in launch operations and international partnerships, while supporting the development of commercial launch capabilities from the Sultanate of Oman.His Highness Sayyid Azzan bin Qais Al Said, CEO of Etlaq Spaceport, said that Karman X1 is the first mission at the spaceport to bring together an Omani launch operator, Stellar Kinetics MCT, based in Oman, and Singaporean company OculloSpace. The rocket’s payload was provided by Australian company Orbit2Orbit.He noted that the mission reflects the growth of Etlaq Spaceport, the expansion and diversification of its partnerships, and its ability to attract new space launch missions from various countries around the world.His Highness added that the launch represents an important milestone for the spaceport, demonstrating Oman’s ability to connect partners from different parts of the world. He said each mission contributes to strengthening operational expertise, while the lessons learned from the flight will help improve future missions.“I am particularly proud of the team that worked side by side with our partners throughout all stages,” His Highness said.The Etlaq Spaceport project is one of the strategic projects supported and sponsored by the National Space Programme at the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology, under the space sector infrastructure pillar. The project aims to attract investment, facilitate technology transfer and localise advanced space technologies.