Turkey inks deal with Axiom Space to develop space industry - Turkish Minute

NationalTop Stories Turkey inks deal with Axiom Space to develop space industry By Turkish Minute January 21, 2025 815 Share Facebook Twitter WhatsApp Telegram Pinterest Email Print Copy URL A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with its Crew Dragon capsule launches from pad LC-39A during Axiom Mission Three (Ax-3) at the Kennedy Space Center, in Cape Canaveral, Florida, on January 18, 2024. An all-European crew including Turkey's first astronaut are poised to blast off to the International Space Station in a mission with Axiom Space, as countries hungry for a taste of space turn increasingly to the private sector. (Photo by CHANDAN KHANNA / AFP) Must read Turkey, Kazakhstan sign strategic partnership declaration, set $15 billion trade target May 15, 2026 Turkish journalist questioned over ‘espionage’ after email complaint to police May 20, 2026 2 police officers killed in shooting in northwestern Turkey May 18, 2026 60 sought in corruption operation targeting opposition-run district municipality May 14, 2026 Axiom Space announced a new collaboration agreement with the Turkish Space Agency (TUA) on its website on Jan. 18, 2025, to develop supply chain opportunities for Turkey’s space industry. The agreement is mainly oriented toward potential contributions to the planned Axiom Station. Turkish astronaut Alper Gezeravcı flew to the International Space Station on Jan. 18, 2024, on Axiom Space’s Ax-3 mission as Turkey made its entry into human spaceflight. That 14-day mission formed the foundation for the current agreement. The agreement comes amid an expanding space program by Turkey. SpaceX launched the largest privately developed Turkish satellite to date, the FGN-100-d1, on Jan. 14, 2025. The 100-kilogram satellite is designed to operate at an altitude of 500-600 kilometers and forms part of a planned “Uluğ Bey” constellation of 100 satellites designed to create a navigation system comparable to Europe’s 30-satellite Galileo network. The satellite was developed by Fergani Space, which was founded by Selçuk Bayraktar, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s son-in-law. The satellite launch underlines Turkey’s determination to get a stronger foothold in space technology. Independently, the country launched its first indigenously developed communications satellite, Türksat 6A, on July 8, 2024, via a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. On April 15, 2023 Turkey launched IMECE, its first high-resolution Earth observation satellite, aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. Industry and Technology Minister Fatih Kacır said the agreement with Axiom would bring in joint development in seven areas: space technology, aerospace, textiles, know-how of materials required for space tech, advanced manufacturing, communications and life sciences. This agreement will power up Turkey’s active role in the global space ecosystem, besides encouraging the younger generation toward space-related careers, Kacır added. “This agreement will provide our youth opportunities to explore space and encourage future engineers and scientists,” TUA President Yusuf Kirac said. Axiom Space Chief Revenue Officer Tejpaul Bhatia said the deal aims to integrate Turkish suppliers into the global space supply chain. The agreement positions Turkey for the post-ISS era, with the International Space Station set to end operations in 2030. Commercial facilities like the Axiom Station will replace the ISS for space research and human activities. The Turkish Space Agency plans to launch its first lunar mission, AYAP-1, in 2026. Orbiting the moon and making surface contact are included in the mission, while plans for a rover landing are scheduled for a later phase. Share Facebook Twitter WhatsApp Telegram Pinterest Email Print Copy URL Previous article [OPINION] Erdoğan could pursue a policy of ‘controlled escalation’ in Syria Next article Teacher abducted by Turkish intelligence denied surgery for 16 months after arm broken during torture More News Court orders main opposition leader to pay Erdoğan 300,000 lira in damages May 20, 2026 Turkey condemns Israeli minister’s video of detained Gaza flotilla activists as ‘barbaric’ May 20, 2026 Nationalist party leader accuses main opposition of helping Erdoğan cement presidential system May 20, 2026 Latest News Court orders main opposition leader to pay Erdoğan 300,000 lira in damages May 20, 2026 Turkey condemns Israeli minister’s video of detained Gaza flotilla activists as ‘barbaric’ May 20, 2026 Nationalist party leader accuses main opposition of helping Erdoğan cement presidential system May 20, 2026 Turkish journalist questioned over ‘espionage’ after email complaint to police May 20, 2026 Turkish Foreign Ministry criticizes Greece over Pontic Greek genocide claims May 20, 2026