Space Communication Technologies (SCT), the national satellite operator of Oman, has awarded a contract to Airbus Defence and Space for OmanSat-1, a high-capacity, fully reconfigurable OneSat telecommunications satellite, and its associated system.
SCT is the main hub of the National Satellite Program of Oman, which is responsible for developing infrastructures for satellite communications to create capacity for both the public and private sector.
OmanSat-1, fully digital and reconfigurable in orbit, will provide high capacity in Ka band mainly over Oman, including its economic waters, and across the entire Middle East, Eastern Africa, and Asia.
The fully reconfigurable design will allow SCT to meet the needs of customers in terms of high-capacity services, including government and private networks, oil and gas, banking services, broadband, maritime and aeronautical connectivity. SCT aims to become one of the main players in these markets.
Airbus will provide a fully integrated end-to-end solution, which includes the design and manufacturing of the satellite, high-performance ground segment software components, and the launch service. This is the tenth satellite under contract for Airbus’ OneSat space product line.
Statements
“_We appreciate the partnership with Airbus Defence and Space and underline the key role of Space Communication Technologies Company as the national operator and executing arm of this project. This partnership ensures achieving the highest levels of efficiency, facilitates knowledge transfer, and strengthens national capacities in this vital sector_”, announced **Engineer Bin Hamoud Almaawali, Minister of Transport, Communications and Information Technologies of the Sultanate of Oman**.
“_It is a privilege to sign a contract of this nature, which will ultimately place the name of the Sultanate of Oman in space, as one of the main regional players for satellite operators. Our choice of OneSat, produced by Airbus, will mean that SCT will manage the latest software-defined satellite with maximum flexibility and high Ka-band transmission capacity, offering competitive services to most vertical sectors in the target markets and the possibility to access new markets thanks to the flexibility in beam forming_”, declared the **Engineer Salim Al Alawi, CEO of SCT**.
“_We are pleased to have signed this contract to provide Oman with fully manageable world-class telecommunications capacities through its first geostationary satellite. We will work closely with Space Communication Technologies of Oman to help them implement their national satellite program and develop their sovereign capabilities to serve their future customers_”, stated **Alain Fauré, Head of Space Systems of Airbus**.
Features of Airbus OneSat
Airbus OneSat can be fully reconfigured while in orbit, adapting coverage, capacity, and frequency “on the fly” to meet continuously evolving mission scenarios.
It builds on the experience of Airbus’ geostationary telecommunications satellites Eurostar, ultra-reliable, and the company’s experience in the OneWeb constellation.
The development of the OneSat program is supported by ESA, the French Space Agency (CNES), the UK Space Agency, the German Space Agency (DLR), and the Spanish Space Agency (AEE).
About SCT
Space Communications Technologies is a governmental company owned by the ITHCA group, under the auspices of Oman Investment Authority (OIA).
The company has been mandated to proceed with the necessary procedures for the implementation of the Omani satellite project (OmanSat-1), including all technical, operational, and contractual work of this project to meet the nation’s needs in the field of satellite telecommunication services.
The company’s vision is to become one of the main regional satellite operators, providing robust, integrated, and secure solutions.
Source and image credit @Airbus Defence and Space
