Oman could play host to future astronauts embarking on Moon, Mars, and other interplanetary missions with the coming of a bespoke space settlement centre in Duqm – a port town in the heart of the Al Wusta Governorate.

The Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones (OPAZ) has signed a land usufruct agreement with Global Space and Technology Company to establish a space settlement centre for research and scientific and practical experiments.

With an aim to simulate environments that astronauts may encounter in interplanetary space missions and to conduct research on advanced technology and artificial intelligence (AI), the centre will span over an area of ​​20,000 sq.m. in the Artificial Intelligence Zone in Duqm.

The agreement was signed by Eng. Ahmed bin Ali bin Issa Akaak, the Acting CEO of the Special Economic Zone at Duqm and Eng. Bahiya bint Hilal bin Sultan Al Shuaibi, the Founder and CEO of Global Space and Technology Company.

The Centre has been designed to simulate alien environments encountered by Astronauts in specific zones.

Eng. Bahiya bint Hilal bin Sultan Al Shuaibi, the Founder and CEO of Global Space and Technology Company, pointed out: “We were pleased to announce the signing of the usufruct agreement to develop this project, which is space settlement centre to simulate living on space, such as staying on the Moon or Mars.

“The project aims to simulate the space environment to study the behaviour of astronauts before joining the actual astronaut flights. The project will serve scientists, researchers and those interested in doing their experiments in the space sector, artificial intelligence and advanced technology.”

“Global Space and Technology Company will develop this centre to serve space and modern technology projects for commercial and research purposes, by providing several services, such as satellites for communications, remote sensing and space imaging.

“In addition, the project aims to establish training programmes to transfer knowledge in cooperation with specialised international institutions. Therefore, the Company designs different programmes related to virtual reality, 3D programmes for educational purposes and simulation, in line with the needs of educational institutions and providing them with the appropriate relevant devices,” she added.

It is worth noting that the Global Space and Technology Company had been awarded the ‘Business Excellence Award 2021’ by the World Business Federation in the USA.

The Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones has allocated a zone for artificial intelligence, drone experiments and future technologies in Duqm, covering ​​18 sq.kms. of land area and at an altitude of 80 metres above sea level. Further, a committee was formed to supervise the works and projects developed in the artificial intelligence zone.