The country established the Turkish Space Agency (TUA) in 2018
AP
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan today revealed an ambitious 10-year space program for his country that includes missions to the Moon, sending Turkish astronauts into space and developing internationally viable satellite systems.
Erdogan announced the program, seen as part of his vision to place Turkey in a greater regional and global role, during a live televised event that included special effects.
He indicated that Turkey planned to establish “a first contact with the Moon” in 2023, when the country celebrates the centenary of the founding of the Turkish republic. The first phase of the mission will be “through international cooperation,” while the second phase will use Turkish rockets, Erdogan added.
“God willing, we will go to the Moon,” said the Turkish leader.
Erdogan also announced Turkey’s goal of sending Turkish citizens into space with international cooperation, to work with other countries in developing a spaceport and creating a “global brand” of satellite technology.
“I hope that this roadmap, which will put Turkey in the first division of the global space race, will come to life successfully,” he said.
Turkey established the Turkish Space Agency (TUA) in 2018, with the goal of joining a handful of other countries with space programs.
Critics have questioned the government’s decision to spend large amounts of money on that target at a time when the country’s economy is in crisis. But advocates say a space program will create jobs for researchers and likely reduce the brain drain of migrating scientists.
Erdogan did not specify how Turkey plans to achieve its goals. Last month, he and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk spoke on the phone and discussed cooperation in space technologies with Turkish companies.
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