In the middle of the desert by the Arabian Sea, Oman is planning something extraordinary — a spaceport. The project, called Etlaq, aims to launch rockets into orbit by 2027, from small research missions to large satellite payloads. If successful, Oman would join only about a dozen countries worldwide with a working launch site.
For now, the site looks simple — a few tents, construction vehicles, and a lot of sand. But the vision is ambitious: mission control centers, testing facilities, and even a business park are part of the plan. At the first public event, families, children, and engineers gathered to watch a small rocket launch, celebrating what could be the start of a new chapter for the nation.
Why Oman? Its location is ideal — just 18 degrees north of the equator, where rockets gain extra speed from Earth’s rotation. Debris from launches would fall safely into the open sea, and the country’s political stability offers a safe base for international space projects.
Neighboring countries like the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia are also investing billions in space technology, but so far, there’s no commercial spaceport in the entire Middle East. Oman could fill that gap and attract private companies eager to send satellites or experiments into space.
Nearby, the city of Duqm is being developed into a tech and logistics hub, complete with modern hotels, offices, and a major seaport. Rockets and components could be shipped there before launch from Etlaq.
For Oman, the project represents more than technology — it’s a symbol of progress and ambition. From seafaring explorers to space pioneers, the country is reaching for the stars.