MUSCAT – The programme aims to build national capabilities in satellite manufacturing through the development of a satellite enhanced with Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies.
The launch of the programme comes in cooperation with a group of academic institutions in the Sultanate of Oman, within the framework of the National Space Programme of the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology. It aligns with Oman’s objectives to localize space technologies and establish a sustainable knowledge base.
The programme aims to empower a select group of Omani students, academics, and engineers to acquire advanced practical knowledge in the fields of Earth observation and remote sensing. This will be achieved by involving them in all stages of satellite development, from design and assembly to testing and operation. The satellite’s primary missions include capturing space imagery, processing data, and transmitting it to ground stations to support various applications in planning, the environment, and sustainable development.
Ali Shah, CEO of Oman Lens, explained that the programme seeks to empower national capabilities in the satellite industry by relying on Omani competencies across various company projects, including development and operation. He noted that the programme consists of two primary phases.
Phase one includes practical training through the assembly of the satellite’s engineering model in the Sultanate of Oman, with the participation of students and academics from Sultan Qaboos University, the German University of Technology (GUtech), the Military Technological College, and the University of Technology and Applied Sciences.
Phase two involves the participation of selected members in a training programme with experts from Star.Vision—the technical partner of Oman Lens—at its headquarters in China. This phase focuses on assembling the final flight model of the satellite and gaining advanced practical experience in a specialized industrial environment, leading up to launch testing and the commencement of operations.
This programme represents a strategic step towards enhancing national competencies and building a sustainable knowledge and technical base in the space sector. It also expands horizons for international cooperation and the transfer of knowledge to Omani cadres. Moreover, it embodies Oman Lens’s commitment to its national role in supporting innovation and contributing to the goals of Oman Vision 2040, thereby strengthening Oman’s position as a promising regional hub for space technologies and advanced knowledge industries.
Oman Lens is a leading Omani company in the fields of satellite technology and Artificial Intelligence. In November 2024, the company successfully launched the first Omani satellite enhanced with AI technologies in the region. It remains committed to empowering diverse national competencies, including academics and technicians, within the space and AI sectors.
