The Sultanate of Oman has signed a cooperation agreement with Airbus Defense and Space (ADS) to design, manufacture, and launch Oman’s first communications satellite ‘OmanSat-1’.
The OmanSat-1 project forms part of national efforts to enhance the telecommunications ecosystem, strengthen digital sovereignty, and build national capabilities in space and future technologies.
The agreement was signed by Eng. Said bin Hamoud Al Maawali, Minister of Transport, Communications and Information Technology and Alain Fauré, Head of Space Systems at Airbus.
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.
As part of the agreement, the Oman’s Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology has assigned the OmanSat-1 satellite’s operation to the Space Communications Technologies (SCT), a company fully owned by Oman Investment Authority (OIA), to serve as the national operator after launch and to be the executive arm during the design and manufacturing stages.
The Ministry has also established a Project Management Office within the SCT to oversee administrative and technical aspects of the OmanSat-1 project in collaboration with Airbus throughout the manufacturing process. The office will ensure infrastructure readiness for satellite operations and develop a fully integrated operational ecosystem in Oman for satellite management and service delivery to both government and private-sector entities after launch.
Eng. Said bin Hamoud Al Maawali Oman Minister of Transport, Communications, Information Technology
“The OmanSat-1 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.”
He explained that this project represents a major step toward localizing technical knowledge. OmanSat-1 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. It will also empower local companies, especially SMEs, to participate in the project’s supply chain, supporting local value creation and strengthening the private sector’s role in the national space economy. Additionally, the project will support scientific research through collaboration between local universities and Airbus Defense and Space.
Dr. Ali bin Amer Al Shidhani, Undersecretary for Communications and Information Technology and Head of the Negotiation Committee, said that the OmanSat-1 project marks a pivotal step in Oman’s technological and space ambitions. It reflects the government’s drive to build a sustainable, innovation-led digital economy. He noted that the OmanSat-1 satellite will strengthen Oman’s telecommunications ecosystem, support vital sectors, and accelerate digital transformation and smart services. He also underscored the key role of Space Communications Technologies in operating the project and building national expertise in this strategic field.
Alain Fauré, Head of Space Systems at Airbus, expressed his satisfaction with signing the contract to deliver Oman’s first geostationary satellite, offering world-class, fully flexible communications capabilities. He affirmed Airbus’s commitment to working closely with Space Communications Technologies to advance Oman’s national satellite program and build the sovereign capabilities needed to serve future customers.
Image credits: ONA | Cropped by GBN
Dr. Saud bin Humaid Al Shoaili, Head of the National Space Program and the Project Management Office, said that OmanSat-1 project is a core pillar of the National Space Strategy (2023–2033), which positions Oman as a regional gateway for space services and technologies that drive economic diversification and future opportunities, boosting the sector’s contribution to GDP and expanding national space capabilities.
He added that the OmanSat-1 project aligns with key national initiatives led by the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology in partnership with the local private sector, including satellite launch operations from Duqm Port under the Itlaq program, national capacity-building efforts, the Oman Space Accelerator, and geospatial and Earth observation projects, creating a fully integrated ecosystem to power Oman’s space economy.
Eng. Salim bin Said Al Alawi, CEO of Space Communications Technologies, said the company is proud of the trust placed in it to lead this national project, marking a major milestone in Oman’s satellite communications journey. He affirmed close cooperation with Airbus to deliver the project to top global standards. He added that the company aims to build a fully Omani-led operational system powered by national talent, enabling advanced and secure satellite services. The next-generation, software-defined Ka-band satellite, he noted, will offer high flexibility and competitive services across key sectors.
