Oman’s First Satellite Set for Orbit
On Tuesday, 4th October, the first Omani satellite, Aman, was successfully prepared for its launch into the Low Earth Orbit, at Newquay, Cornwall, in the UK.
Integrated into a launch vehicle, the LauncherOne rocket, the satellite will be taken on its journey into space later this year. Satellite integration is a major step in meeting the objectives of Oman’s first space mission.
The Sultanate of Oman represented by ETCO, an Oman-based emerging technology innovator; Virgin Orbit, a leading US-based satellite launch company; SatRev, Polish nanosatellite manufacturer and operator and TUATARA, specialists in advanced AI, data analytics and cognitive technology solutions, continue to work on Oman’s mission to space. The work undertaken, led to the first Omani CubeSat satellite, Aman, being integrated with the spacecraft during a procedure conducted at Newquay Airport, in Cornwall. The Virgin Orbit integration team led the event, beginning with a final cleaning and checkout of the Omani satellite, ensuring that the Remove Before Flight (RBF) items on the CubeSat were taken away. Once the satellite was prepared, it was placed in the launch dispenser, followed by a series of rigorous checks.
“Satellite integration marks an important milestone in the plan to send the first Omani spacecraft into space this year. It is encouraging to witness this first-of-its-kind project in the country’s history unfolding and we are looking forward to see it through to a final stage that will occur later this year when it will be launched into the low Earth orbit.“, explained Abdulaziz Jaafar, ETCO Chief Executive Officer.
“Integration went as planned and it was a complete success. All risks have already been minimized due to the Fit-Check event that occurred during the previous month, where the same Virgin Orbit integration team was on-site at SatRev headquarters in Poland to perform a detailed walkthrough of all planned integration steps.” – said Grzegorz Zwoliński, CEO SatRev.
The project is fulfilling the Oman Vision 2040, a national programme aimed at fostering economic competitiveness and social well-being, stimulating growth and building confidence in all economic, social and developmental relations. Oman’s space programme will enable groundbreaking scientific research and capture high-resolution satellite images, which will be further analyzed digitally using Computer Vision, Machine Learning, and AI solutions developed by TUATARA in strategic partnership with ETCO. The Omani space project intends to provide long-lasting benefits and unlock new horizons for the next generation of world space explorers and innovators in the space sector, while investing in national talent that will build a promising future for Oman. Looking forward to delivering added value up and down the country, the project will encourage and support companies in Oman to accelerate its transformation into a space-related economy.
About ETCO
Driven by a forward-thinking approach, ETCO has developed a portfolio of successful partnerships in line with Oman’s digitization strategy for 2040. With a range of compelling solutions, products and world-class customer service, the company is helping to support the Sultanate’s development, while cementing its position as an integrated technology partner. www.etco.om
About Virgin Orbit
Virgin Orbit operates one of the most flexible and responsive space launch systems ever built. Founded by Sir Richard Branson in 2017, the company began commercial service in 2021, and has already delivered commercial, civil, national security, and international satellites into orbit. Virgin Orbit’s LauncherOne rockets are designed and manufactured in Long Beach, California, and are air- launched from a modified 747-400 carrier aircraft that allows Virgin Orbit to operate from locations all over the world in order to best serve each customer’s needs. To learn more, visit www.virginorbit.com.
About SATREV
SatRev (formerly: SatRevolution) was founded in Poland in 2016 to focus on the emerging space market. With a vertically-integrated business, the company specializes in the design, manufacture and operation of satellites. It is building a real-time Earth Observation constellation planned to contain over 1,000 satellites by 2026. In October 2019, the company established a consortium with Virgin Orbit and nearly a dozen Polish universities to design and carry out the world’s first dedicated commercial small satellite mission to Mars. In June 2021, SatRevolution placed two-satellites, STORK-4 and STORK-5 Marta, into Low Earth Orbit and in January 2022 another six. SatRev’s satellites can be used to solve the challenges of resource utilisation and optimisation across a wide range of issues such as precision agriculture, energy asset assessment and transportation infrastructure monitoring. Current investors include Polish VC funds such as Infini, Newberg, Tech Invest Group and Kvarko (part of the Polish NCBiR R&D scientific start-up funding programme). Learn more at satrev.space/
About TUATARA
TUATARA combines consulting and technology to create enchanting experiences in the digital space. From process digitalization through data analysis to innovative business models, TUATARA exceeds customers’ expectations with artful solutions based on artificial intelligence, machine learning and cognitive technologies. TUATARA has been delivering groundbreaking projects in the telecommunications, financial and marketing industries in Oman and other GCC countries since 2015. Learn more at https://tuatara.pl
For more information contact:
Vedrana Mati
00968 9369 7645
vedrana.mati@tuatara.om
