Turkey Signs Artemis Accords Aiming for Permanent Base on the Moon
Joining the Artemis Accords at a ceremony held at NASA headquarters in Washington, Turkey aims for peaceful cooperation and sustainable visibility in space.
Turkey has officially joined the Artemis Accords, which aim to establish a sustainable base on the Moon. Turkey was represented at the signing ceremony held in Washington by Minister of Industry and Technology Mehmet Fatih Kacır and TUA President Yusuf Kıraç.
Signing Ceremony in Washington
Minister of Industry and Technology Mehmet Fatih Kacır and Turkish Space Agency President Yusuf Kıraç attended the official ceremony held at the headquarters of the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration on behalf of Turkey.
The US side was represented by NASA Director Jared Isaacman and Connor Tomlinson, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Space and Environment at the US Department of State.
Emphasis on International Cooperation
In his speech at the ceremony, Minister Mehmet Fatih Kacır stated that cooperation plans in space projects were strengthened following US President Donald Trump's visit to Ankara in July.
Stating that Turkey has entered a new era in its space journey, Kacır emphasized that their goal is to gain sustainable visibility in space and take peaceful steps.
Message of Support from NASA
NASA Director Jared Isaacman expressed his satisfaction with Turkey's participation in the accord, describing this step as an important turning point.
Noting that Turkey has put forward a bold vision in the field of space, Isaacman stated that the two countries share the vision of sending astronauts to the lunar surface.
2027 Targets and Somalia Project
In statements to Turkish journalists after the ceremony, Minister Kacır announced that they plan to send a hybrid-engine spacecraft to the Moon in the early months of 2027.
He also stated that the spaceport under construction in Somalia will enable Turkey to take stronger and more independent steps in the space economy.
Scope of the Artemis Accords
Based on the 1967 Outer Space Treaty, the Artemis Accords are a multilateral, non-binding declaration of principles designed to govern the responsible exploration of space.
The text of the agreement includes important clauses such as the registration of objects, prevention of interference with activities, sharing of scientific data, and emergency assistance.