Turkiye's Position in Space: Agency, Programs, Goals

Turkiye's space program has made significant progress in recent years, attracting international attention. The Turkish Space Agency was established by Presidential Decree in 2018, and a year later it was appointed by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan as its chairman and board members. Within the framework of the National Space Program, the Agency aims to develop the needs and capabilities in the field of space technologies in Turkiye and reduce dependence on the outside.

President Erdogan announced the National Space Program with the words “We are going to the Moon in 2023.” TÜBİTAK President Prof. Hasan Mandal announced that the hard landing of the program in 2023 will take place in 2026.

Prof. Dr. Sinan Kaan Yerli notes that Turkiye's space studies have made significant contributions to space studies around the world through its scientists and engineers since the 1970s. Examples, such as Dilhan Eryurt's contributions to the success of Apollo 11, demonstrate Turkiye's presence and influence in the space sciences field.

Turkiye launched its communications satellite in 1994 and became one of 30 countries to own satellites in this area. These developments point to Turkiye's growing capabilities in the space field and its future goals. The space program is expected to make significant contributions to scientific and technological advances, both at the national and international level.