Türkiye has completed the production and assembly of its first lunar spacecraft, handing over the 3.5-metric-ton craft to Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) for environmental testing, Anadolu Agency reports, citing the industry and technology minister.
Mehmet Fatih Kacir said the craft is scheduled to launch from the Kennedy Space Center in early 2027 and will take approximately two months to reach a 100-kilometer (62.13-mile) polar orbit around the Moon.
The craft will remain in lunar orbit for three months, with the possibility of extending its operation to a year and a half, during which solar winds, water formation, magnetic fields, and surface radiation will be studied using homegrown scientific instruments.
Kacir said these efforts aim to achieve “a fully independent Türkiye in critical technologies,” following the country’s similar approach in its defense industry.
The spacecraft features critical flight, communications, and power systems developed for the previous Imece and Turksat 6A satellite projects, with an 80% domestic production rate.
“The further tests will verify the spacecraft’s ability to withstand the harsh conditions it will encounter during launch and in the space environment,” he said. The craft will then be moved to a new cleanroom facility of the Turkish Scientific and Technological Research Institution (TÜBİTAK) for final inspections.
The craft will employ a homegrown hybrid propulsion system for orbit-raising maneuvers and a final controlled deceleration burn to reach the lunar surface at the end of the primary scientific mission.
“Only eight countries have carried out lunar missions so far, and when we implement our program, Türkiye will become the ninth country,” the minister noted.
These developments come after the country’s recent accession to the Artemis Accords, which were signed to promote international cooperation in the peaceful exploration of the Moon and deep space.
Kacir said development of the Turksat 7A communications satellite has begun alongside the design phases of the Imece-2 and Imece-3 Earth observation satellite constellations.
Meanwhile, Ankara is building a spaceport in Somalia that will eventually provide independent access to space and reduce reliance on foreign launch facilities.
The Turkish government is also working with the Turkish Space Agency and the Middle East Technical University (METU) to establish a space technology development zone in Ankara. The initiative aims to extend Türkiye’s defense sector’s rapid growth into the space industry by integrating more technology startups into the national space manufacturing ecosystem.
The city of Antalya will host the 77th International Astronautical Congress (IAC 2026) from October 5-9, showcasing these expanding capabilities to nearly 10,000 participants from around the world.