The production, assembly and integration activities of the spacecraft developed for Turkey's first Moon mission have been completed.
The first lunar spacecraft developed within the scope of Turkey's Lunar Research Program has entered the critical testing phase before launch. Turkish Space Agency (TUA) President Yusuf Kıraç announced that the vehicle is ready and they aim to reach the Moon in the first half of 2027.
Speaking to Haber Aero, Kıraç stated that the production and integration studies of the spacecraft have been completed and environmental tests are continuing at the Space Systems Integration and Test Center (USET) within TAI. The first launch is planned to be carried out by SpaceX.
In the first phase of the mission, Turkey's goal is to perform a hard landing on the Moon instead of a controlled soft landing. At this stage, it is aimed to test the capabilities of accessing the Moon, reaching the target area and conducting operations in deep space.
More than 80 Percent Domestic Technology Used
The Lunar Spacecraft, developed by TÜBİTAK UZAY, has a mass of approximately 3.5 tons. According to the information announced by the institution in September 2026, the production, assembly and integration activities of the vehicle have been completed; The system level was made ready for environmental tests.
More than 80 percent localization rate was reached in the project. Critical technologies such as flight computer, communication, power management, thermal control and orbital operations used in the vehicle benefited from the engineering experience gained in previous satellite projects such as İMECE and TÜRKSAT 6A.
It is also among the information shared by TÜBİTAK that 56 of the 65 pieces of equipment of the spacecraft were produced entirely with domestic facilities.
Transferring this knowledge to the deep space mission aims to improve Turkey's ability to perform spacecraft management, communication and orbital control not only in Earth orbit but also in the lunar distance.
Hybrid Propulsion System is the Critical Element of Lunar Journey
One of the important components of the mission will be the hybrid propulsion system developed in Turkey. The system, developed within the scope of studies carried out in cooperation with TÜBİTAK UZAY and DeltaV, will be used for the transition of the vehicle from Earth orbit to the lunar transfer orbit and for maneuvers at the end of the mission.
Yusuf Kıraç stated that the hybrid propulsion system is also ready and the vehicle has been subjected to environmental tests. Firing the system in deep space is important for Turkey to test its domestic propulsion technologies in a mission in the Earth-Moon distance.
In the lunar journey, not only the propulsion system; Communication, flight software, power management and orbit control systems also need to work together for a long time. Environmental tests aim to verify that these subsystems can perform their duties during launch and in the harsh conditions of space.
The Moon Journey Will Take Approximately Two Months
According to the current mission plan, the spacecraft is aimed to be launched in the first half of 2027 and reach the polar mission orbit, approximately 100 kilometers above the Moon surface, after a journey of approximately two months.
At this stage, the vehicle will perform scientific and operational studies around the Moon. In the official project descriptions, it is envisaged that the operation period in orbit will be at least three months, and can be extended to 1.5 years depending on mission performance.
Within the scope of scientific studies, the interaction of solar winds with the lunar surface, the local magnetic fields of the Moon, the thermal properties of the surface and the mechanisms of water formation on the Moon will be investigated. The vehicle also includes domestic scientific equipment for radiation measurements.
After the orbital missions, the vehicle is planned to be delivered to the Moon surface by performing controlled maneuvers with the domestic hybrid propulsion system. This phase will enable access to the lunar surface and test mission termination maneuvers within the scope of the hard landing concept.
SpaceX Will Launch, Will Be Sent to the USA After Tests
Yusuf Kıraç announced that the first launch will be carried out by SpaceX. According to TÜBİTAK UZAY's plan, after the environmental tests are completed, the vehicle will be taken to the clean room and integration center on the METU campus. After final checks, it is expected to be shipped to the Kennedy Space Center in the USA for launch preparations.
The launch date has not been finalized yet. Kıraç stated that space projects can be postponed for technical reasons and that the calendar is maintained as the first half of 2027, but it is not possible to give a more precise date at this stage.
Türkiye Aims to Become the Ninth Country to Reach the Moon
Turkey's Lunar Research Program is among the main goals of the National Space Program. The aim of the first mission is to reach the Moon with a spacecraft developed with domestic resources, conduct scientific studies in lunar orbit and gain experience in deep space operations.
TUA President Yusuf Kıraç stated that Turkey aims to become the ninth country to reach the Moon with its own means. Following this goal, it is planned to work on a mission that will carry a reconnaissance vehicle that can make a soft landing on the lunar surface and move on the surface in the second phase.
The engineering and operational experience gained in the first mission is expected to form the basis for the next phase, which aims for a controlled soft landing on the lunar surface.
Although the completion of the production and integration phase for Turkey's Lunar vehicle is an important milestone, the success of the mission; It will depend on the successful completion of environmental testing, launch, lunar transfer, orbit entry and mission operations.
