Oman is set to join the ranks of nations with geostationary communications satellites after placing an order for OmanSat-1. This order brings the global count for such satellites to six this year, equalling the total for all of 2024 with a month still remaining. However, this figure remains considerably lower than the industry's previous annual rate of double-digit orders.
Space Communication Technologies (SCT), the state-backed operator in Oman, announced on November 24th that it had signed a contract with Airbus for the construction of OmanSat-1. This Ka-band satellite will utilize Airbus’ software-defined OneSat platform, allowing for reconfigurable connectivity across the Middle East, East Africa, and Asia. The financial specifics of the agreement were not disclosed.
The agreement also includes a knowledge-sharing initiative as Oman, like other countries in the Middle East, aims to enhance its space capabilities and diversify its economy in preparation for a future less reliant on oil. According to Alain Fauré, head of space systems at Airbus, "We will work hand in hand with Oman’s Space Communication Technologies to help them deliver their national satellite programme and develop their sovereign capabilities to serve their future customers."
Oman marked its entry into the space sector last year with the launch of OL-1, a remote-sensing optical satellite developed in collaboration with China and the local startup Oman Lens. This launch followed the loss of an earlier satellite, developed with Poland’s SatRev, during the failed launch of Virgin Orbit’s LauncherOne rocket in 2023. Despite this setback, SatRev has continued its collaboration with Oman, including the development of a ground station to support the country's growing space ambitions.
Furthermore, in February, Spain's PLD Space signed an agreement to launch its Miura 5 small launch vehicle from a new spaceport in Oman, potentially as early as 2027.
Regarding the global commercial GEO satellite market, Alix Rousseliere, senior consultant at Novaspace, confirmed that there have been five other orders this year: Chungwha-1 and Koreasat-7. These satellites are being built by a new generation of GEO manufacturers that are producing smaller, more tailored satellites. Approximately half of the six commercial GEO communications satellites ordered last year weighed 1,000 kilograms or less.
Despite recent activity, the current demand is significantly lower than the peak when manufacturers regularly received 15 to 20 orders for large, multi-ton GEO satellites each year. This change reflects the decreasing demand for TV broadcasts from space, the rise of adaptable digital payloads, and increased competition from broadband megaconstellations in low Earth orbit.