Oman announces OmanSat-1, its first communications satellite

As part of its plans to enhance the telecommunications ecosystem, strengthen digital sovereignty, and build national capabilities in space and future technologies, the Sultanate of Oman will build its first communications satellite, OmanSat-1.

An agreement was signed with Airbus Defense and Space (ADS) on Monday to design, manufacture, and launch the satellite.

Airbus will design OmanSat-1 with high capacity in the Ka-band frequency, covering the Sultanate of Oman – including its economic waters – as well as the Middle East, East Africa, and Asia. The satellite will be based on Airbus’s OneSat platform, offering full digital reconfigurability while in orbit.

Said bin Hamoud Al Maawali, Minister of Transport, Communications and Information Technology, commented: “The project aims to strengthen Oman’s digital sovereignty by establishing a national space-based infrastructure capable of providing independent and secure telecommunications and data services. This will enhance national cybersecurity, ensure continuity of critical services under all circumstances, extend coverage to rural areas, and improve the quality of telecommunications and internet services in alignment with Oman Vision 2040.”

The project also represents a major step toward localising technical knowledge. It includes intensive programs to train and qualify Omani talent across all project phases – from design to manufacturing, testing, and operation – ensuring full Omani management capability after launch.

As part of the agreement, the Ministry assigned the satellite’s operation to the Space Communications Technologies (SCT), a company fully owned by Oman Investment Authority (OIA), and to be the country’s executive arm during the design and manufacturing stages.

Dr Ali bin Amer Al Shidhani, Undersecretary for Communications and Information Technology and Head of Negotiation Committee for the project, said: “This project marks a transformational milestone in Oman’s technological and space development journey. It reflects the government’s commitment to building a sustainable digital economy anchored in knowledge and innovation.

“The satellite will significantly strengthen Oman’s national telecommunications ecosystem, enabling vital sectors and supporting digital transformation and smart services.”

Dr Al Shidhani said this milestone follows years of national effort involving extensive evaluation of various proposals for designing, manufacturing, and launching the satellite.

Alain Fauré, Head of Space Systems at Airbus, said his company was delighted to be allowed to provide Oman with world-class, fully flexible satellite communications capabilities through its first geostationary satellite, and affirmed Airbus’s commitment to working side-by-side with Space Communications Technologies.

Salim bin Said Al Alawi, CEO of Space Communications Technologies, said: “We take pride in the trust placed in us by the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology and the Oman Investment Authority to operate and manage this national project. This marks a major turning point in the history of satellite communications in the Sultanate of Oman. We will work closely with Airbus to implement the project to the highest global standards.”