Statements from Minister Kacır about the 77th International Astronautical Congress and the Moon Mission

Kacır made a statement to journalists after the Ministers and Parliamentarians Meeting held in Antalya before the 77th International Astronautical Congress.

Stating that Türkiye hosted important organizations in the field of aviation, space and technology this week, Kacır said that TEKNOFEST was held in Şanlıurfa and the 77th International Astronautical Congress, which Türkiye will host for the first time, will be held in Antalya.

Kacır said, "The International Space Congress will start tomorrow and October 5-9 will be the days when the heart of the global space agenda beats in Türkiye. We will host more than 12 thousand guests from 111 countries in our country and in our beautiful Antalya on the occasion of the International Space Congress. More than 40 astronauts will be with us again on the occasion of this congress." he said.

Stating that the International Astronautical Congress creates a global consultation ground in the fields of the future of space, space policies, science and technology, Kacır stated that more than 8 thousand scientific article applications were made to the congress.

Kacır noted that the congress, in addition to its scientific aspect, is a commercial platform that brings together companies and technology initiatives operating in the field of space technologies.

Emphasizing that the congress will be a platform where important topics regarding the future of space will be discussed, Kacır continued his words as follows:

"Therefore, this congress will be of great value and importance in terms of both scientific and economic aspects, in which direction the future of the space economy, which currently exceeds 600 billion dollars, will move, in what ways human beings can benefit from space more effectively, and at the same time, for space to be not an area where only a few countries or a few companies work on, but a platform where scientists, companies and technology initiatives from different countries of the world can contribute to the development and where the whole world can benefit from the achievements in the most equitable way."

Stating that Türkiye has taken important steps within the scope of the National Technology Move and the National Space Program, Kacır reminded that manned space science missions have been carried out.

Kacır stated that the door to human space research was opened for Türkiye with the human space missions carried out by Türkiye's first astronauts Alper Gezeravcı and Tuva Cihangir Atasever.

Pointing out that Gezeravcı carried out 13 scientific experiments at the International Space Station and Atasever carried out 7 scientific experiments in suborbital flight, Kacır stated that Türkiye will continue to contribute to global human space research.

Kacır stated that efforts will continue to include Turkish scientists in scientific studies carried out within the scope of missions of different countries and to include Turkish industry among the supplier countries in international space projects.

Emphasis on locality in satellite technologies

Kacır stated that Türkiye has developed important capabilities in satellite technologies and said that it has become one of the countries that can develop imaging satellites with sub-meter resolution with İMECE.

Pointing out that TÜRKSAT 6A is Türkiye's first national communications satellite, Kacır noted that Türkiye has become one of the 11 countries that can develop its own communications satellites.

Kacır said, "We have developed over 80 percent domestic production capability in all these satellite technologies. We have built infrastructures where we can carry out all development and testing processes with our own means. Now we will take these capabilities further." he said.

Stating that more advanced projects will be implemented in imaging satellites with İMECE-2 and İMECE-3, Kacır said that TÜRKSAT 7A will be developed and produced with Türkiye's own means and capabilities.

"2027 will be the year when Türkiye realizes the Moon Mission"

Stating that Türkiye is now preparing for deep space studies, Kacır said the following about the Moon Mission:

"Hopefully, 2027 will be the year in which Türkiye carries out the Moon Mission. And in the first months of 2027, we will hopefully send the lunar spacecraft, which we have produced with an 87 percent local production rate, to the Moon as a result of the joint efforts of Turkish engineers, colleagues, scientists and researchers. Thus, Turkey will become one of the 9 countries that can reach the Moon with the spacecraft it has developed and produced itself."

Stating that the lunar vehicle will primarily serve as a satellite around the Moon and conduct research on the Moon's surface, Kacır said that the national hybrid rocket technology will also be tested in deep space within the scope of the mission.

Spaceport project in Somalia

Kacır also touched upon the importance of the spaceport project implemented in Somalia in terms of Türkiye's independent access to space.

Stating that the spaceport will provide more cost-effective access thanks to its location close to the Equator, Kacır said, "I hope it will carry Türkiye to the goal of becoming a country that reaches space with its own rockets and its own produced spacecraft from its own spaceport. In this way, Turkey will become one of the very few countries that can provide independent access to space." he said.

Kacır emphasized that the increase in the number of satellites sent into space also increases the economic potential of the project in question.

The Antalya Declaration will reveal an important perspective

Stating that efforts to develop human resources in the field of space are continuing, Kacır stated that they will build a space technopark on the Middle East Technical University campus in Ankara.

Kacır stated that IAC 2026 is an important opportunity to introduce Türkiye's opportunities and capabilities in the field of space to the world.

Stating that a joint declaration will be published for the first time at the Ministers and Parliamentarians Meeting held within the scope of the Congress, Kacır said, "The Antalya Declaration will also present a very important perspective for addressing space as an inclusive topic for peaceful purposes, with an approach that will conduce to cooperation, and for carrying out space studies for the benefit of all humanity with a perspective in which no country will be left behind, and for keeping space free from conflicts and disagreements on earth." he said.

Fuat Oktay also spoke

Chairman of the Turkish Grand National Assembly Foreign Affairs Commission and Ankara Deputy Fuat Oktay also stated that Türkiye has reached an important point in the field of space and that it has become a country that develops its own satellites, sends its first astronaut into space and steps into deep space studies.

Oktay stated that the Moon Mission is not just about going to and from the Moon, but that humanity aims to stay on the Moon permanently and create a space station there.

Kacır [Oktay] stated that the fact that the necessary tests and studies for the journey to Mars will be carried out on the Moon gives the Moon Mission a different importance, and noted that Türkiye is also involved in this process.

Stating that Türkiye's construction of a spaceport in Somalia is an important step in terms of launch systems, Oktay reminded that Türkiye aims to be among the top 10 countries in space studies.

Oktay added that it is aimed to test the first spacecraft and send the mission to the Moon at the beginning of 2027.