Oman has launched a national initiative to design and assemble a CubeSat satellite, marking a significant step toward building domestic capabilities in satellite manufacturing and space technologies.
CubeSats are miniaturised, modular satellites based on a standardised 10x10x10 cm unit, typically weighing between 1.3 and 16 kilograms. The new programme aims to develop an AI-enhanced satellite while training a select group of Omani students, academics, and engineers in Earth observation and remote sensing.
Participants will be involved in every stage of development, from design and assembly to testing and operations. The satellite will be built to capture imagery, process data onboard, and transmit it to a ground station, supporting applications in urban planning, environmental monitoring, and sustainable development.
The project is being facilitated by Oman Lens, a homegrown satellite and AI company, which is drawing on national expertise across its development and operational teams to strengthen local manufacturing capabilities.
The first phase will focus on hands-on training through the assembly of the satellite’s engineering model in Oman. Students and academics from Sultan Qaboos University, the German University of Technology in Oman, the Military Technical College, and the University of Technology and Applied Sciences will take part.
In the second phase, a select group of participants will undergo advanced training with experts from STAR.VISION, Oman Lens’ technology partner, at its headquarters in China. This stage will focus on assembling the final flight model in an industrial environment, preparing it for launch, testing, and operational deployment.
The initiative forms part of broader national efforts to build a sustainable technological and knowledge base in the space sector, expand international cooperation, and transfer advanced expertise to Omani talent.
