Türkiye to launch lunar vehicle

Türkiye will send its domestically developed lunar vehicle, equipped with its own hybrid propulsion rocket system, into space in the first months of 2027, Industry and Technology Minister Mehmet Fatih Kacır said, announcing that the timetable for the country’s Moon Project has been finalized.

Kacır spoke to reporters during the 28th TÜBİTAK Sky Observation Event at Lake Emre in Afyonkarahisar, CE Report quotes Anadolu Agency.

He said space occupies a crucial place in Türkiye’s National Technology Initiative, adding that space and space technologies provide some of the most strategic infrastructure for critical areas such as the defense industry.

Under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Türkiye has carried out major projects and developed significant capabilities in satellite technologies through BİLSAT, RASAT, GÖKTÜRK-2, Türksat 6A and İMECE, Kacır said.

Referring to deep-space projects being pursued under the National Space Program, Kacır said:

“Our engineers, researchers and scientists are developing Türkiye’s own lunar vehicle. We will send our lunar vehicle, equipped with its own hybrid propulsion rocket system, into space in the first months of 2027. The launch schedule has now been finalized. All tests have been successfully completed.”

He said the project would provide Türkiye with a technological capability achieved by only a small number of countries worldwide.

Türkiye’s spaceport project

Kacır described independent access to space as a strategic objective for Türkiye, pointing to the country’s growing capabilities in rocket and missile technologies.

He highlighted work by ROKETSAN, TÜBİTAK SAGE and Delta V, saying Türkiye is gradually approaching the point where it will be able to manufacture rockets capable of launching its own satellites into space.

Türkiye is also prioritizing the development of spaceport infrastructure to achieve independent access to space.

Kacır explained that spaceports are generally established in locations where launches can be conducted most cost-effectively. Equatorial regions provide advantages because launches can benefit from the Earth’s rotational speed.

“Türkiye is taking a very strategic step, and we are building our own spaceport in Somalia,” Kacır said.

He expressed hope that the project would be completed rapidly, ultimately allowing Türkiye to launch domestically developed satellites and spacecraft aboard its own rockets from its own spaceport.

Kacır emphasized that these ambitions require a broader ecosystem. A planned space technopark at Middle East Technical University (ODTÜ) will bring together institutions and companies working in the sector and provide infrastructure for joint research and development activities.

Referring to Türkiye’s crewed space science missions, Kacır said further missions would follow.

He added that Türkiye is preparing to participate in future international space stations as a country capable of developing and manufacturing technological components and is seeking to establish numerous international partnerships in this field.

Antalya to host IAC 2026

Kacır also highlighted the 77th International Astronautical Congress (IAC 2026), which will be held in Antalya from October 5 to 9.

More than 10,000 participants from over 100 countries are expected to attend what Kacır described as one of the largest scientific events in Türkiye’s history.

He said hosting the congress for the first time would provide Türkiye with an important opportunity to showcase its capabilities internationally while opening the door to new global partnerships.

At a time of deep divisions on numerous international issues, Kacır described Türkiye as a country delivering a strong message of peace and stability both to its region and the wider world.

He said space remains an area particularly suited to international cooperation and argued that hosting representatives from around the world would align closely with Türkiye’s international mission and ambitions.

According to Kacır, Türkiye is preparing to host the largest edition of the congress to date, with records already being set in preliminary registration figures and scientific paper submissions.

The congress will also include a dedicated platform for next-generation space technology startups, reflecting what Kacır described as the changing nature of the “New Space” economy, in which technology startups are increasingly represented alongside major corporations and institutions.

IAC 2026 to issue Antalya Declaration

Kacır also announced that, for the first time in the history of the congress, a declaration will be issued from Antalya during IAC 2026.

Türkiye proposed the initiative to the International Astronautical Federation, with the declaration expected to focus particularly on messages of peace, security and stability.

A meeting involving parliamentarians and government representatives from around the world will take place one day before the congress begins, after which the “Antalya Declaration” will be issued.

“We want space to continue to be an arena for peace and cooperation and to provide a platform for developing technologies that serve humanity,” Kacır said.

He added that the Antalya congress would provide an opportunity to send a meaningful and powerful message to international diplomatic processes around the world.

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