Oman achieves landmark rocket motor test at Etlaq Spaceport

British-Omani aerospace startup Advanced Rocket Technologies (ART) has conducted the first static fire test of what is described as Oman’s first commercially built solid rocket motor at Duqm’s Etlaq Spaceport, marking a milestone in the Sultanate’s efforts to develop indigenous launch capabilities. The motor achieved ignition and sustained a nominal burn sequence before a late-stage case rupture; engineers said the test nevertheless validated localised manufacturing processes and produced performance data to inform future development.

"Conducting this static fire test is a defining milestone for our team and for the regional space ecosystem," an ART representative said. "In rocket propulsion development, high-risk testing is where true engineering progress happens. The motor demonstrated strong performance and the telemetry gathered gives us the data needed to refine our design and iterate rapidly. We are moving forward with full momentum towards our next testing campaign as we build sovereign launch capabilities right here in Oman".

Test details and partnership

The static fire campaign was carried out at Etlaq Spaceport in Duqm in collaboration with Omani propulsion specialist Aqtar Space Technologies under a recently signed Memorandum of Understanding. ART and Aqtar intend to jointly develop rocket propulsion technologies and establish localised manufacturing capabilities in Oman, while strengthening research and development and cultivating sovereign aerospace talent across the Middle East and North Africa.

• Location: Etlaq Spaceport, Duqm, Oman
• Participants: Advanced Rocket Technologies (ART) and Aqtar Space Technologies
• Outcome: Successful ignition and nominal burn; late-stage case rupture
• Primary objective: Validate local manufacturing and gather telemetry for design iteration

ART, founded in the United Kingdom in 2022 and formally established in Oman earlier this year, is developing reusable launch vehicle systems aimed at suborbital and orbital missions. The company’s activities include work on guidance, navigation and control systems, AI-assisted rocket systems and aerospace education initiatives. ART’s stated roadmap cites the Horus-4 reusable prototype rocket as an early element of a broader plan to deliver commercially viable launch services from Oman.

Context and implications

Engineers described the static fire as one of the first practical demonstrations of rocket propulsion technology that has been designed, manufactured and tested within Oman. While the late-stage case rupture curtailed a fully nominal test duration, project leads emphasised that the principal objective—validating localised manufacturing processes and collecting critical performance data—was met. Those data will feed iterative design changes ahead of further high-risk testing phases.

The collaboration is positioned as a strategic move to reduce reliance on imported propulsion systems and to build domestic expertise in one of the most technically demanding areas of spaceflight. Establishing in-country capabilities for propulsion manufacturing, testing and telemetry analysis is intended to complement existing investments in launch infrastructure represented by Etlaq Spaceport.

Outlook

ART signalled it will press on with additional test campaigns as it refines motor design and manufacturing methods. The partnership with Aqtar Space Technologies aims to translate the test’s lessons into stronger, more reliable propulsion hardware for subsequent prototypes, including Horus-4. If follow-on tests prove successful, the programme could underpin future efforts to field reusable first stages and to offer commercial launch services from Oman.