[REVISION HISTORY]

Turkey expands space program and hosts IAC

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2026-07-29 08:38 UTC → 2026-07-29 08:41 UTC · added ~~removed~~

In early July 2026 Antalya hosted an International Space Congress that featured an astronaut meet‑and‑greet for children, highlighting Turkey’s growing public engagement with space activities. Later that month, Turkey’s Minister of Industry and Technology Mehmet ~~Fatih~~ Fatil Kacır announced a domestically designed spacecraft mission to the Moon, signaling a new phase for the national space program. He detailed ongoing satellite projects such as BİLSAT, RASAT, ~~GÖKTÜRK‑2, İMECE~~ GÖKTÜRK‑2 and the communications satellite TÜRKSAT 6A, and revealed plans for a space technopark in Ankara and a launch‑site project. Kacır also confirmed that Antalya will host the 77th International Astronautical Congress (IAC 2026) from 5 to 9 October, expecting participation from dozens of countries and thousands of delegates, and framed these initiatives within the expanding global space economy. On 29 July 2026 Kacır reiterated the Moon‑mission plan, emphasizing that the spacecraft will be entirely indigenous in design and construction. He linked the mission to the forthcoming IAC, describing the congress as a catalyst for scientific and industrial cooperation. The minister again cited recent satellite successes and highlighted the global space market’s growth to over US$600 billion, projecting a rise to US$1.8 trillion by 2035. He stressed the programme’s focus on sustainable, peaceful use of space and increased participation in international projects such as the International Space Station.

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