MUSCAT: British rocket launch startup Advanced Rocket Technologies (ART) has signaled it will significantly strengthen its operations in Oman, further underscoring the emerging space industry’s growing international appeal.
The London-headquartered company, which specializes in developing low-cost, reusable rocket technology and associated services to support both suborbital and orbital launch capabilities, recently announced its formal registration in Oman. The move builds on multi-year efforts with various organizations and stakeholders in Oman, the center of the Sultanate’s emerging space sector.
“This milestone marks a significant step forward in our mission to strengthen the MENA region’s space rocket launch capabilities and foster cutting-edge space research,” ART said in a recent post.
“We are very proud of this step and are honored to empower the next generation of engineers here in the Sultanate and serve as a strategic bridge in space innovation.”
ART said its operations in the Sultanate are envisioned as a “British-Omani company”. “This structure creates a clear bridge between the UK and the Sultanate of Oman. Combining UK aerospace standards with Oman’s ambitious vision will enable faster knowledge transfer and practical innovation in the region.”
In recent years, ART has actively expanded its involvement in Oman’s space ecosystem, reflecting the Sultanate’s growing role in regional space activities. In particular, ART has entered into a strategic partnership with Knowledge Grid Academy, an Oman-based training services provider, to provide tailored aerospace training and certifications to students and professionals in Oman and the Gulf region.
Another important initiative is the launch of “Race 2 Space Oman” at Sultan Qaboos University. This is a collaborative initiative aimed at introducing students to hands-on experience with rockets, stimulating innovation and inspiring future space careers in Oman.
In another initiative closely aligned with Oman’s National Space Strategy, the British start-up is collaborating with the Sultanate’s flagship commercial launch facility, Etrak Spaceport in Duqm, to position the country as a regional hub for space launches, education and aerospace innovation.
As part of this arrangement, ART sought to demonstrate the capabilities of its Horus 4 prototype, a reusable test rocket developed in-house to validate critical launch and recovery systems through a series of low-altitude hop tests (75-150 meters) from Etlaq Spaceport. However, the first Unity-1 mission, scheduled for the third quarter of 2025, was postponed due to poor weather forecasts and technical problems with the landing gear.
Meanwhile, a senior official from Oman’s National Space Program welcomed the formal establishment of ART in the Sultanate as a major boost to the country’s space ambitions.
“ART’s entry into the Omani market reflects growing international confidence in Oman’s space ecosystem, supportive regulatory and investment environment, and strategic vision to build a knowledge-based and innovation-driven economy,” said Dr. Saud Al Shoairi, who heads the national space program and OmanSat-1 satellite development initiative.
“This step represents a significant opportunity to strengthen partnerships, enable knowledge transfer, build national capacity and advance space applications and services that contribute to economic diversification and the goals of Oman Vision 2040.
“We look forward to working closely with ART on impactful initiatives and strategic projects that will strengthen the country’s talent and accelerate the growth of Oman’s space sector,” he added in the post.
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