Turkey counts down to entering its first manned space program

The Turkish Space Agency (TUA), established by presidential decree on December 13, 2018, has left its 5th year behind. Since its inception, the agency has been carrying out supportive activities for the development and dissemination of space and aviation science technologies.

TUA also provides coordination with national and international organizations to protect Turkey's rights in space.

Deltav Space Technologies CEO Prof. Dr. Arif Karabeyoğlu explained the developments in Turkey's space adventure on the anniversary of TUA's establishment.

Stating that space-related work in Turkey began after the 1990s, Karabeyoğlu said, "Our space adventure began with the operation of our own communication satellites for the first time. Turkey launched its first communication satellite in 1994. This is very important in terms of being able to control your own communications. In the 2000s, we began designing and producing our own satellites. In the 2010s, we established very large facilities capable of satellite integration and testing."

Karabeyoğlu noted that there have been a number of activities regarding space travel in recent years, and spoke as follows:

"Roketsan has initiatives regarding launching our own satellites into space. Work is being carried out on access to space with original and national technologies. Beyond these, the establishment of the Turkish Space Agency in 2018 was a milestone for the country's space history. The agency has managed to gather all space-related work under one roof. There were 10 goals regarding space that our President put forward in 2021. With the announcement of this program, Turkey has now become a country that is trying to reach its goals much faster in the field of space."

Emphasizing that Turkey is a country that has achieved rapid development in the field of space, Karabeyoğlu said, "It is trying to do this not only with state projects but also with the private sector. In this sense, there are new companies established outside of state projects. These private companies are trying to catch up with the global space trend."

IT WILL NOT BE POSSIBLE TO MAINTAIN OUR EXISTENCE WITHOUT BEING IN SPACE

Reminding that there are 10 thousand satellites in space today, Karabeyoğlu said that there will be 100 thousand satellites in space 10 years from now.

Noting that they expect the space sector to exceed 1 trillion dollars in the 2030s, Karabeyoğlu said, "It is very important for Turkey to get a share of this big pie. We must not forget that space is also important in a strategic sense. It will no longer be possible to maintain your existence without being in space. For this reason, the way for us to progress as a country is through demonstrating our presence in space."

Karabeyoğlu stated that manned space programs in Turkey have just begun and that in this sense, two of our astronauts will go to space, adding, "Soon, one of our astronauts will reach space and spend 10 days there. During this time, they will conduct many experiments. For the first time, we as Turkey will have entered a manned space program. From now on, Turkey will also be involved in the work to be done in this field."

Stating that 42 countries have sent humans to space so far, Karabeyoğlu said, "Turkey is a very ambitious country; it was time for us to go as well. As these astronauts travel the world and give conferences, they will actually be doing a great deal of promotion for Turkey."

Reminding that Turkey will host a massive conference in 2026 that will bring together all of the world's stakeholders in the space field in Antalya, Karabeyoğlu expressed that the world now believes Turkey is a very serious player in space.