Muscat: The Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology today launched a project titled ‘Space Accelerators Programme’. The project aims to enable local startups to develop space solutions and services, promote innovation and entrepreneurship in the space sector, and furnish a stimulating environment for investment in advanced technologies.
According to Oman News Agency, the launch of the project highlights the Ministry’s approach to implement the policy of economic diversification and inspire national capacities to transfer and localize space technologies through national establishments. The one-year programme will be implemented by Al Akqaa Space and Technology Company, in cooperation with Exotopic company, a British firm specialized in accelerator programmes.
The project also aims to train the personnel of 10 local startups in space sector practices, develop prototypes or commercially viable technical solutions, enhance national skills in space innovation, and establish a (local-global) support network for space entrepreneurship.
Dr. Saud Humaid Al Shuaili, Director General of Policy and Governance (Head of the National Space Programme at the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology), stated that the project provides an integrated environment featuring technical guidance, entrepreneurial training, and access to a network of partners and experts.
He further mentioned that the overall objective is to establish a national business environment geared towards innovation in high-value space industries. Al Shuaili pointed out that the project contributes to developing a competitive environment for offering innovative solutions. As part of the plan, the top three companies will receive awards for initiating sustainable activities that support the space sector’s strategic approach.
The programme will focus on a number of activities in the space industry, including communications, observation of the Earth, geospatial analytics, navigation, drones, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning, advanced computing, data storage, the Internet of Things, and spacecraft simulation environments, in addition to accelerating the growth of startups and supporting innovation in new technologies in the space sector.