Ankara, January 19, 2025 – The Europe Today: The Turkish Space Agency (TUA) and US-based Axiom Space have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore supply chain opportunities for Türkiye’s burgeoning space industry. The agreement, signed on Saturday, sets the stage for collaboration in space technology, aviation, textiles, material science, advanced manufacturing, communications, and life sciences.
Türkiye’s Minister of Industry and Technology, Mehmet Fatih Kacir, hailed the MoU as a pivotal moment for the nation’s space ambitions. “With the projects we will realize, Türkiye will secure a larger share of the global space economy, which is projected to reach $1 trillion annually,” Kacir stated.
The agreement reinforces Türkiye’s strategic position in the global space sector as preparations accelerate for the commercial space stations set to replace the International Space Station (ISS) after its planned decommissioning in 2030.
This partnership builds on the historic collaboration between TUA and Axiom Space. On January 18, 2024, Colonel Alper Gezeravci became Türkiye’s first astronaut, joining the Axiom Mission 3 (Ax-3) crew in a milestone for Turkish space exploration. According to the Ministry of Industry and Technology, the new agreement aims to inspire Turkish youth to pursue careers in the space industry, support sustainability, and foster innovation across various sectors.
Key objectives outlined in the memorandum include:
- Establishing laboratories for space research and exploration.
- Developing manufacturing facilities utilizing microgravity.
- Testing and validating materials for deep-space missions.
- Creating transportation and logistics hubs in low-Earth orbit.
- Building advanced platforms for communication and observation.
- Providing astronaut training facilities.
TUA President Yusuf Kirac highlighted the transformative impact of the MoU: “This agreement will not only shape our industry but will also provide our youth with opportunities to explore the limitless possibilities of space, inspiring them to become the leaders, engineers, and scientists of the future.”
Tejpaul Bhatia, Axiom Space’s Chief Revenue Officer, emphasized Türkiye’s critical role in the global space supply chain. “Our collaboration will leverage Türkiye’s strong aviation and technological capabilities to achieve new milestones. On the anniversary of Türkiye’s first astronaut mission with Ax-3, we celebrate the country’s progress in the space industry,” Bhatia remarked.
As Türkiye continues to strengthen its space industry, this agreement signifies a critical step toward integrating its capabilities into the global space economy, ensuring innovation and sustainability for years to come.