Latitude, a French startup, is targeting late 2027 for the inaugural flight of its small launch vehicle from a spaceport in Oman. The mission would mark the first orbital launch from the Omani facility, positioning the sultanate as an emerging player in the global launch market.
The vehicle's technical specifications and payload capacity remain undisclosed, though small launch vehicles typically carry satellites weighing up to several hundred kilograms to low Earth orbit. Latitude has not released details on the propulsion system or whether the rocket uses liquid or solid fuel.
The launch window is set for late 2027, though no specific date has been announced. The company has not disclosed prior delays or milestones leading up to this target. Oman has been developing its spaceport infrastructure in recent years to attract commercial launch providers.
This mission underscores a broader trend of diversification in launch site geography, as companies seek alternatives to established ranges in the U.S., Russia, and French Guiana. Latitude's move also reflects growing European private-sector ambition in small satellite launch services, competing with firms like Rocket Lab and Virgin Orbit.