OMM Redaksiyası
Heads of space agencies and industry representatives discussed lunar exploration, satellite networks and orbital safety on Tuesday as the 77th International Astronautical Congress entered its second day at the NEST Congress Center in the Belek resort area of Antalya.
About 7,000 delegates from 108 countries are attending the congress. Tuesday’s program also included the third Global Space Leaders’ Summit, a closed-door meeting of senior representatives from established and emerging spacefaring nations.
Discussions focused on international partnerships, responsible governance and strategic challenges arising from the rapid commercialization of space.
Other sessions addressed lessons from NASA’s Artemis II mission, the future of large satellite constellations and the growing intersection of commercial innovation and geopolitical competition. Artemis II, which flew around the Moon in April, was the first crewed lunar flight in more than 50 years and carried four astronauts.
Türkiye’s developing space program was also in focus on Tuesday. Turkish defense company Aselsan said it plans to launch the first satellite in its Astralink low Earth orbit communications constellation within two years.
The planned network is expected to comprise about 200 satellites and eventually connect more than 1 million ground terminals, the company said.
Plans for spaceport in Somalia
Arif Karabeyoglu, a board member of the Turkish Space Agency, spoke at the congress about Türkiye’s plan to build a spaceport in Somalia. Officials say its location near the equator would offer technical advantages for satellite launches and expand Türkiye’s access to orbit.
Türkiye’s Industry and Technology Minister Mehmet Fatih Kacir held separate meetings on space research with officials from Spain, Luxembourg, the United Arab Emirates and Uzbekistan. In a subsequent statement, Kacir said the discussions covered possible cooperation in technology, industry, innovation and entrepreneurship. He did not announce the signing of any agreements.
The congress opened on Monday after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan confirmed that production of the country’s first lunar spacecraft had been completed and the vehicle assembled. Its launch is planned for 2027.
The annual congress, organized by the International Astronautical Federation, is being held in Türkiye for the first time. The event runs through Friday, with sessions planned on lunar exploration, artificial intelligence, commercial spaceflight and the sustainable use of orbit.
