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, marking a significant milestone in the Sultanate of Oman’s drive to establish indigenous space launch capabilities and a sovereign aerospace industry.
The test, conducted recently at Duqm’s Etlaq Spaceport in collaboration with Omani propulsion specialist Aqtar Space Technologies, represents one of the first practical demonstrations of locally developed rocket propulsion technology designed, manufactured and tested within Oman.
According to ART, the solid rocket motor achieved successful ignition and sustained a nominal burn sequence before a late-stage case rupture occurred. Engineers said the campaign nevertheless met its principal objective of validating localised manufacturing processes and generating critical performance data for future development.
The milestone is viewed as an important step beyond infrastructure development, signalling Oman’s transition towards mastering the technologies required for an end-to-end domestic launch ecosystem. Rather than relying solely on imported systems, the collaboration seeks to localise propulsion technologies, manufacturing expertise and engineering capabilities — considered among the most strategically important elements of any sovereign space programme.
The test was conducted under a Memorandum of Understanding recently signed between ART and Aqtar Space Technologies to jointly develop rocket propulsion technologies and establish localised manufacturing capabilities in Oman. The partnership also seeks to strengthen research and development while cultivating sovereign aerospace talent across the Middle East and North Africa.
“Conducting this static fire test is a defining milestone for our team and for the regional space ecosystem”, an ART representative said in a statement. “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”.
The achievement underscores Oman’s growing ambitions to emerge as a regional hub for commercial space activities. Over the past few years, the Sultanate of Oman has invested in regulatory frameworks, launch infrastructure and industry partnerships, with Etlaq Spaceport serving as the country’s dedicated commercial launch facility. The latest propulsion test demonstrates that local companies are beginning to develop the indigenous technologies needed to complement that infrastructure.
Founded in the United Kingdom in 2022 and formally established in Oman earlier this year, ART is developing reusable launch vehicle systems for suborbital and orbital missions, alongside guidance, navigation and control technologies, AI-assisted rocket systems and aerospace education initiatives. Its roadmap includes the Horus-4 reusable prototype rocket, intended as the first stage in a broader programme to deliver commercially viable launch services from Oman.
