started · updated
Turkey announces lunar mission and satellite network at space congress
The 77th International Astronautical Congress (IAC 2026) is being held in Antalya, Turkey, attracting over 12,000 participants from 111 countries. The event has set a record with more than 8,000 scientific paper applications.
During the congress, Turkish officials outlined several major space and energy milestones. Industry and Technology Minister Mehmet Fatih Kacır announced that Turkey aims to launch its national lunar spacecraft in the first months of 2027. Additionally, ASELSAN revealed plans for the GÖKBAĞ/Astralink project, a communication network consisting of 198 satellites in low Earth orbit, with the first satellite expected to launch within two years. Turkey has reportedly achieved a domestic production rate of over 80 percent in satellite technologies.
In the energy sector, Minister Alparslan Bayraktar stated that the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant is expected to begin electricity production within the next few months, marking Turkey's first foray into nuclear power. Furthermore, the government is preparing legislation for Small Modular Reactors (SMR) to strengthen the country's energy infrastructure.
Entities
ASELSAN · Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant · Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant · Alparslan Bayraktar · Antalya · International Astronautical Congress · International Astronautical Federation · Mehmet Fatih Kacır · Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources · Turkey · Türkiye Uzay Ajansı · Yusuf Kıraç
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 7 SOURCES] The 77th International Astronautical Congress in Antalya expects over 12,000 guests from 111 countries. basakgazetesi.com · cukurovagazetesi.com · www.ilkhaber-gazetesi.com · www.kemergozcu.com · www.aydinlik.com.tr · +1 more
- [● 2 SOURCES] Turkey is preparing a law for Small Modular Reactors (SMR). enerjihaber.com · www.gazetebirlik.com
- [● 6 SOURCES] Turkey plans to send its lunar spacecraft to the Moon in the first months of 2027. basakgazetesi.com · cukurovagazetesi.com · www.guvengazetesi.com.tr · www.kemergozcu.com · www.aydinlik.com.tr
- [● 6 SOURCES] More than 8,000 scientific paper applications were submitted to the congress. basakgazetesi.com · cukurovagazetesi.com · www.kemergozcu.com · www.guvengazetesi.com.tr · www.aydinlik.com.tr
- [● 2 SOURCES] The lunar spacecraft has a domestic production rate of 87 percent. www.aydinlik.com.tr
- [○ 1 SOURCE] ASELSAN will showcase the Türksat 6A, Türksat 7A, and Göktürk-3 satellite programs at the congress. www.haberankara.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Turkey aims for 20,000 megawatts of nuclear installed capacity by 2050. enerjihaber.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] The first electricity production at the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant is expected within the next few months. enerjihaber.com · www.gazetebirlik.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Turkey has reached a domestic production rate of over 80 percent in satellite technologies. www.kemergozcu.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The first satellite of the Astralink project is targeted for launch within two years. yerkoyhabergazetesi.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] ASELSAN is developing the GÖKBAĞ/Astralink communication network consisting of 198 satellites in low Earth orbit. yerkoyhabergazetesi.com