Oman's 'Aman' satellite launch awaits British nod

The first Omani satellite, Aman, has been successfully integrated with Virgin Orbit’s LauncherOne rocket, the spacewatch.global.com quoted the technology solutions provider TUATARA.

“The satellite is now awaiting to be deployed into low Earth orbit by Virgin from Newquay, Cornwall. LauncherOne is already on the launch site, awaiting its launch licence from the British government. This will be the first launch from UK soil and the first international launch for Virgin.”

Aman, the first Omani CubeSat is a result of international collaboration between the Sultanate of Oman, the USA, and Poland. The project comprises Omani technology innovator ETCO, US launch company Virgin Orbit, Polish nanosatellite manufacturer SatRev, and cognitive technology solutions provider TUATARA.

Virgin Orbit’s integration team performed the final cleaning and checks on Aman, before placing it on the launch dispenser.

The project is part of Oman Vision 2040, aimed at fostering economic competitiveness and social well-being. Oman expects its space programme to enable scientific research and the capturing of high-resolution satellite images.

LauncherOne will carry seven payloads into low earth orbit, including a collection of satellites, on a mission called Start Me Up.