Turkey's First Lunar Research Vehicle Will Be Launched in Early 2027
Developed within the scope of the National Space Program, the domestic vehicle will be sent into space from the Kennedy Space Center and will conduct scientific studies in lunar orbit.
Minister of Industry and Technology Mehmet Fatih Kacır announced that Turkey's first lunar spacecraft is planned to be launched in the early months of 2027.
Timeline and Goals in the Lunar Project
The timeline has become clear for the Lunar Research Program, one of Turkey's most important projects under the National Space Program. Minister of Industry and Technology Mehmet Fatih Kacır made statements prior to the 77th International Astronautical Congress in Antalya.
The lunar spacecraft, developed by Turkish engineers and researchers, is planned to be launched in the early months of 2027. Once the mission is successfully completed, Turkey aims to join the ranks of countries capable of reaching the Moon with a domestically developed vehicle.
Technical Specifications and Domestic Production Rate
According to the disclosed information, the domestic production rate in the spacecraft has reached 87 percent. Weighing approximately 3.5 tons, the spacecraft is projected to be launched from the Kennedy Space Center.
Having completed its production, assembly, and integration work, the vehicle is preparing for the critical testing phase at TUSAŞ's Space Systems Integration and Testing Center.
Journey and Orbital Process
After the launch, the spacecraft will make a journey of approximately two months, reaching a polar and circular mission orbit about 100 kilometers above the lunar surface.
The vehicle will carry out scientific studies in orbit for at least three months, and if performance is suitable, the operation period can be extended up to one and a half years.
Scientific Research Areas
Within the scope of the mission, the interaction of solar winds with the lunar surface, the formation mechanisms of water on the lunar surface, and the Moon's magnetic fields will be investigated.
Additionally, detailed measurements will be made on the thermal properties of the surface and the radiation environment, providing data to the scientific world.