Oman to set up space research and settlement centre By Pramod Kumar September 14, 2022, 5:27 AM Oman News Agency The centre will simulate astronauts and conduct research on advanced technology and artificial intelligence. Oman’s Public Authority for Special Economic and Free Zones (OPAZ) has signed an agreement with Global Space and Technology Company to establish a space settlement centre for research, scientific and practical experiments, Oman News Agency reported. The centre will simulate astronauts’ conditions and conduct research on advanced technology and artificial intelligence over an area of 20,000 square metres in the Artificial Intelligence Zone in Duqm. Global Space and Technology Company will provide 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. The free zone authority has allocated a zone for artificial intelligence, drone experiments and future technologies in Duqm.