Podcast Summary: T-Minus Space Daily – Oman’s Atlac Spaceport
Hosted by N2K Networks
Release Date: July 26, 2025

Introduction

In this episode of T-Minus Space Daily, host Alice Carruth delves into the burgeoning space endeavors of the Middle East, with a particular focus on Oman’s inaugural commercial spaceport, Atlac Spaceport. Situated in a region traditionally dominated by giants like Saudi Arabia and the UAE, Oman is carving its niche in the global space industry. The discussion features an in-depth interview with Yolanda Al Ryami, the Chief Commercial Officer at Atlac Spaceport, shedding light on Oman’s strategic entry into space operations.

Oman’s Foray into the Space Sector

Alice Carruth sets the stage by highlighting Oman’s recent activities in space exploration. Unlike its neighbors, Oman’s presence in the space industry is nascent but rapidly growing, marked by the establishment of its first commercial spaceport, Atlac Spaceport.

Interview with Yolanda Al Ryami

Background and Role at Atlac Spaceport

Yolanda Al Ryami introduces herself and provides a comprehensive overview of her role:

"So my name is Yolanda Ryami. I am the current Chief Commercial Officer at ATLA Spaceport... I look after the marketing side of the business as well as sales and business development and events management."
[01:40]

She elaborates on her professional journey, transitioning from roles at Omantel and Apple to spearheading Atlac’s commercial ventures. Her diverse background in industrial engineering and business administration equips her to navigate the complexities of the space industry.

Why Oman? The Strategic Choice for Atlac Spaceport

When questioned about the rationale behind choosing Oman for a spaceport, Yolanda provides insightful reasoning:

"Oman first started looking into what they can do in space a few years ago... the geography and thought that hey, this is something that we naturally have and it's an Asset that you can't buy anywhere."
[03:12]

She emphasizes Oman’s advantageous geographic positioning at approximately 18 degrees latitude, facilitating access to various orbital paths, including equatorial, sun-synchronous, and polar orbits. This strategic location offers clear downrange clearance over the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean, making it an ideal hub for diverse launch activities.

Infrastructure and Services Offered

Atlac Spaceport is designed to be a comprehensive, one-stop-shop for space launchers. Yolanda outlines the extensive facilities and services available:

"We do intend for the master plan of ATLAC to be a one stop shop where launchers can come in, bring in their vehicles... We would have mission control centers, range control centers and antenna farms."
[03:12]

The spaceport accommodates three launchpads catering to micro, medium, and heavy-lift vehicles, ensuring scalability for clients as their operations expand. Proximity to the Docham Special Economic Zone affords Atlac access to heavy industries and a refinery, ensuring sustainable access to propellants.

Regulatory Landscape and Operational Efficiency

Oman’s regulatory framework is still evolving, with Atlac Spaceport operating in a pre-regulatory phase that favors lightweight operations:

"We have an operating model that is very lightweight and it actually allows us to conduct launches."
[08:40]

This flexibility enables swift mission approvals, aligning with global standards akin to the FAA or UK CAA. Yolanda highlights a streamlined process where a mission can progress from safety case to launch in approximately 14 weeks.

Milestone Missions at Atlac Spaceport

Atlac Spaceport has already marked significant milestones through its Genesis Program, aimed at hosting experimental launches to establish operational capabilities.

Dokom 1: The Maiden Launch

"Dokom 1 was... a suborbital vehicle sounding rocket. It helped us establish the fact that Atlanta is here and ready to operate launches."
[10:14]

Conducted in December 2024, this suborbital launch laid the foundational infrastructure, including accommodation units, emission control cabins, and a basic launch pad. This mission was crucial for testing the viability of Atlac’s operational processes.

Unity 1: Collaborative Endeavors

The planned launch of Unity 1 was a collaborative effort involving Advanced Rocket Technologies from the UK:

"Unity 1... designed to test out its ability to do a controlled ascent and descent."
[13:56]

Although the mission faced delays, it underscored Atlac’s commitment to fostering international partnerships and advancing reusable rocket technologies.

Dokom 2: Scaling Up Operations

"Dokom 2... a much larger vehicle. It was 12 meter in height, 2 ton vehicle, 2 stages, active guidance and navigation system."
[10:14]

This mission represented a significant scale-up, involving comprehensive ground segment design, vehicle integration facilities, and adherence to international launch standards. Despite technical setbacks leading to a stand-down, the mission was deemed a major success for Atlac, providing invaluable learnings and infrastructure enhancements.

International Collaborations and Payloads

Atlac Spaceport has attracted international payloads, exemplified by the Jupyter Program, a collaboration between three UK universities:

"They were working on a cubesat deployment mechanic and they wanted to test that on this launch."
[14:03]

Additionally, the involvement of Site Space, a Taiwan-based startup, with their pocket cube designed to measure structural stress during launch, highlights Atlac’s role as a global hub for space research and development.

Future Plans and Master Strategy

Scalability and Comprehensive Facilities

Yolanda discusses Atlac’s vision leading up to 2027:

"We're going to be operating this Genesis program... Any startup, any experimental launcher, any R and D work, engine testing can be done at Camp Genesis."
[17:02]

The master plan includes three launch complexes tailored for different vehicle sizes and a business park equipped with clean rooms, mission control centers, and accommodations, fostering a self-sustaining ecosystem conducive to innovation and efficiency.

Workforce Development and Talent Acquisition

Addressing workforce capabilities, Yolanda notes:

"There are no special skill sets that we don't already have... We do see a need to expand some of the skill base."
[18:28]

Oman is investing in talent through initiatives like the Oman Space Accelerator Program, aiming to cultivate local expertise and support the spaceport’s operational demands. Atlac is committed to continuous hiring, training, and upskilling to meet the evolving needs of the space industry.

Enhancing Accessibility and Logistics

Despite its remote location, Atlac has implemented measures to ensure accessibility:

"We have an airport in Dokkum and it takes, it's just a one hour flight... We're building in our master plan the idea of having a campus so that people can actually live in a very comfortable location."
[20:45]

The development of a campus with amenities like swimming pools and gyms ensures that personnel can work efficiently without the discomfort associated with remote environments.

Conclusion and Future Outlook

Yolanda concludes by positioning Atlac Spaceport as a pivotal hub for global space launchers:

"Atlac sees this opportunity as a way to free up that bottleneck. ... We're open and we're ready to accept global launchers coming here."
[22:28]

With no restrictions on the number of annual launches and the capacity for multiple complexes to operate concurrently, Atlac is poised to facilitate high-cadence launches, contributing significantly to the global space infrastructure. The strategic combination of location advantages, comprehensive facilities, and a flexible business model underscores Oman’s commitment to becoming a prominent player in the space industry.

Key Takeaways:

• Strategic Location: Oman’s 18-degree latitude offers optimal access to multiple orbital paths.
• Comprehensive Infrastructure: Atlac Spaceport provides end-to-end services for various types of launch vehicles.
• Regulatory Flexibility: Operating in a pre-regulatory phase allows for swift mission approvals.
• International Collaboration: Partnerships with global entities enhance Atlac’s research and development capabilities.
• Future Expansion: The master plan includes scalable launch complexes and a supportive business ecosystem.
• Workforce Development: Initiatives aimed at cultivating local talent ensure sustainable growth.

Oman’s venture into the space sector through Atlac Spaceport exemplifies the region’s strategic diversification and ambition to become a significant hub in the global space industry.