New frontiers, new influence

Saudi Arabia has re-energized its space program as part of Vision 2030, the Kingdom’s sweeping plan to diversify the economy and develop high-tech sectors. Although Saudi Arabia was an early regional space participant – it hosted the Arab world’s first satellite organization (Arabsat) and sent an astronaut on the Space Shuttle in the 1980s – its modern program took shape around 2018–2020. In late 2018, the Saudi Space Commission (now the Saudi Space Agency) was established, and by 2020 the government earmarked US$2.1 billion for space initiatives under the Vision 2030 roadmap.

In 2024, the Public Investment Fund (PIF) created Neo Space Group to kick-start a domestic space industry. This move, backed by the Kingdom’s capital reserves, is intended to accelerate technology transfer and nurture local expertise in satellite manufacturing and downstream sector development. Thanks to sustained public and private investment, Saudi Arabia’s space economy reached an estimated value of US$8.7 billion in 2024, with projections pointing to significant growth by the mid-2030s – underscoring the market potential being actively cultivated.

Saudi Arabia also made headline-grabbing progress in human spaceflight and applications during this period. In May 2023, the Saudi Space Agency (SSA) launched its first astronaut mission in decades – and its first ever on a non-governmental flight – under the Human Spaceflight Program. Saudi astronauts flew to the International Space Station on a private mission, marking the first Saudi woman in space and the kingdom’s return to human spaceflight since 1985. During their ten-day stay, they conducted eleven scientific experiments across areas such as human cell science and microgravity fluid dynamics, while also engaging more than 12,000 Saudi students through live educational events. The mission served both scientific and inspirational objectives, raising public interest in STEM fields, and was positioned as the beginning of a sustained national astronaut program.

On the civil space front, Saudi Arabia has pursued international partnerships to build credibility and technical depth. In 2025, the Saudi Space Agency signed an agreement with NASA to launch the first dedicated Saudi space weather and climate satellite as part of the Artemis II mission. This initiative integrates a Saudi research payload into a high-profile lunar flyby mission, reflecting Riyadh’s intent to participate in advanced exploration efforts. In parallel, the kingdom has aligned itself with major international frameworks while continuing collaboration on Earth observation projects. Domestically, Saudi Arabia has prioritized space applications that directly support national needs, particularly satellite communications, Earth observation, and navigation services.

In line with Vision 2030’s push for tourism and entertainment, Saudi Arabia has also entered the emerging space tourism sector. SSA partnered with HALO Space to develop near-space balloon tourism, aiming to carry civilians to the stratosphere. Uncrewed test flights took place in 2024, with the first crewed flights planned 2026-2027. The Kingdom aims to host around 100 high-altitude balloon flights annually, positioning itself as a regional hub for space-related tourism experiences. This initiative complements broader efforts to project a modern, innovation-driven national image.

On the commercial side, Saudi startups are emerging across the space value chain, supported by accelerator and incubation initiatives. The Saudi Space Accelerator Program was launched in December 2022 and offered financial support alongside training from international experts and one-on-one mentorship. The program highlighted areas including geospatial analytics and satellite-related domains such as communications and imagery. Also, the SpaceUp Competition, launched by the Communications, Space and Technology Commission (CST) and SSA, is a global startup challenge designed to accelerate space-based solutions across key sectors such as agriculture, urban livability, infrastructure, and environmental sustainability. It brought together local and international startups and SMEs, offering about US$28 million in contractual opportunities, direct access to end-users, and pathways to implement and localize technologies that address real-world challenges using space data and services.

Strategically, Saudi Arabia’s posture is to close the gap with regional peers and eventually emerge as a leading spacefaring nation in its own right. The 2020–2025 period laid the foundation through new governance structures, substantial funding commitments, international collaboration, and early flagship missions. While other countries had a head start, Saudi Arabia has signaled its intent through rapid execution, dual-use capability development, and large-scale investment. By 2025, space had become a clear pillar of national development and strategic influence, with ambitions spanning satellite manufacturing, secure connectivity, Earth observation, and human spaceflight over the coming decade.

Oman is a newcomer to the space arena, but quietly laid the groundwork to make a unique mark. Unlike the UAE and Saudi Arabia, which jumped into ambitious deep-space missions, Oman’s strategy has centered on building launch infrastructure and niche technical capabilities. In 2020, the Sultanate established a National Space Program under its Ministry of Transport, Communications and IT, aligning with Oman’s Vision 2040 economic plan. By 2023, Oman unveiled plans for Etlaq Spaceport – the first spaceport in the Middle East – aiming to create a domestic launch site to propel satellites into orbit. Oman chose this path to leverage its natural advantages: the country’s location near the equator gives rockets an extra boost into space, allowing them to reach orbit more efficiently with less fuel. The initial focus is on small suborbital and orbital rockets, but Oman envisions steadily expanding Etlaq into a full-fledged commercial spaceport with rocket assembly halls, testing facilities, and multiple launch pads. The logic is clear – if Oman can offer lower-cost launches in a safe, interference-free zone, it could attract international rocket companies and satellite clients looking for alternative launch sites. If this bold venture succeeds, Oman would transform into a regional hub for the “upstream” space sector, nicely complementing its Gulf neighbors who are more focused on satellites and deep-space exploration.

In parallel with the spaceport project, Oman has pursued other foundational space activities to build its capabilities. The Sultanate established one of the Gulf’s most advanced satellite monitoring and control stations, which became operational in recent years. This facility allows Oman to manage satellite communications and track signals, strengthening its technical know-how in space operations and offering services to other regional satellite operators. Oman is also moving to acquire its first national satellite – likely an Earth observation satellite – to address domestic needs such as environmental monitoring, urban planning, and disaster management.

Regionally, Oman is making sure it isn’t left behind: it joined the Arab Space Cooperation Group and contributed engineers to the Group’s 813 satellite project. Muscat has also signed cooperation agreements with neighbors – for instance, partnering with the UAE to train Omani engineers and to share satellite data. All these efforts ensure that Oman remains part of the Gulf’s emerging space community, even as it forges its own path.

Oman’s success in space will hinge on how well it can turn its plans into reality in the coming years. If the Etlaq Spaceport truly takes off and manages to host regular launches, Oman could become a small but significant player in the global launch market by the late 2020s. Realistically, Oman will likely start with suborbital research rockets and small satellite launchers – possibly in partnership with established small-launch companies from Europe or Asia that are eager for an equatorial launch site. Over time, we might see Oman’s launch capacity grow to medium-lift rockets, which would really put the country on the map. Domestically, having a spaceport could spark new industries and opportunities – from ground support equipment and telemetry services to even space tourism. On the satellite side, Oman is expected to get its first home-grown satellite into orbit within the next couple of years, either via an international launch provider or perhaps even aboard an early Etlaq rocket if the timing aligns. Once that satellite is up, Oman can start directly harnessing space data for its development needs. The nation’s pragmatic strategy – invest where it can compete and partner where it cannot yet – is likely to continue.

Qatar’s foray into space during the past five years has been measured and strategic, aligning with its vision of a knowledge-based economy and its pursuit of international prestige. Unlike its Gulf neighbors who have sent probes to Mars or contemplated building their own rockets, Qatar has zeroed in on satellite technology, communications services, and using space for societal benefit. The Qatar Space Agency was established to drive this agenda, and by 2023 the country had enacted a National Space Policy to guide the sector’s growth. One of Qatar’s proudest achievements to date is its Es’hail series of satellites. Es’hail-1 and Es’hail-2 are communications satellites that, among other things, broadcast television and provide secure government communications. These satellites gave Qatar a sovereign capability in communications and even carried international payloads. Building on this foundation, Qatar invested heavily in satellite technology and services through the early 2020s. By 2024, Qatar’s civil space investment had reached around US$220 million, roughly 5 percent of total regional space spending, underscoring Doha’s commitment despite its smaller size.

Key developments in Qatar from 2020 to 2025 have emphasized practical applications. Qatar prioritized remote sensing and geospatial analytics to address national needs like urban planning, environmental monitoring, and security. One standout project was its collaboration with NASA to develop a satellite to map underground aquifers beneath Qatar’s deserts – a critical issue in a water-scarce region. Simultaneously, Qatar invested in education and human capital. Universities in Doha launched programs in satellite engineering and astrophysics, often partnering with Western institutions. Scholarships and internships placed young Qataris in space agencies abroad, preparing them to operate and analyze satellite data. On the infrastructure side, Qatar upgraded its satellite control and data-receiving facilities. It also signed agreements with international agencies to enhance training and collaboration. On the security front, Qatar entered into a Space Situational Awareness agreement with the US military, gaining access to real-time orbital data. It hosted the first CENTCOM Space Symposium in 2023, signaling its desire to be a hub for regional space security dialogue.

Commercially, Qatar’s satellite operator Es’hailSat has expanded its portfolio. In 2025, it formed a strategic partnership with a satellite communications provider to enhance regional connectivity. There are also signs Es’hailSat plans to move beyond communications and into Earth observation, either through acquiring imaging satellites or joining a constellation program. These steps show Qatar steadily building a space ecosystem rooted in data and connectivity.

Qatar is expected to maintain its steady, incremental path in space. The launch of Es’hail-3 is likely in the coming years, with potential enhancements like broadband internet. An Earth observation satellite is also on the horizon – possibly through an international partnership or direct procurement. Qatar may also explore investment in foreign constellations to secure dedicated data access.