Oman’s Etlaq Spaceport plans five test launches in 2025
February 22, 2025
Oman’s Etlaq Spaceport, which says it is the first commercial spaceport in the Middle East and North Africa, has unveiled plans for five test launches in 2025.
Announced during the Etlaq Launch Conference 2025, these missions will demonstrate key spaceflight technologies, including controlled ascent and descent, landing systems, stage separation and fuel efficiency.
In a move that highlights Oman’s growing role in the global space industry, Etlaq is collaborating with launch partners from Kuwait, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand to execute these test flights.
At the core of Etlaq’s vision is the Genesis Program, a national initiative launched in 2024 to build Oman’s space launch capability. The programme is designed to support suborbital and experimental launches between 2025 and 2027.
Initially conceived as a proof of concept for Oman’s National Space Services Company (NASCOM) and its experimental Duqm-1 mission, Genesis will help transition the country toward full-scale orbital launches.
By collaborating with multiple aerospace companies, Etlaq aims to create a flexible and scalable launch infrastructure.
Located in Wilayat Al Duqm, the facility benefits from a controlled exclusion zone that minimises risks while ensuring efficient launch operations.
