International Astronautical Congress (IAC 2026) will be held at Antalya NEST Congress Center between 5-9 October. Space agencies, scientists, private companies, entrepreneurs, universities and industry representatives will come together at the congress that Türkiye will host for the first time. Turkish Space Agency announced that more than 10 thousand registered participants are expected to attend the congress. NASA also announced that it will attend the congress in Antalya on October 5-9 with a large delegation.
Türkiye’S TARGET IS THE MOON
One of the topics that will attract the most attention in Türkiye’s congress will be the Moon mission. Production and assembly of Türkiye’s first lunar spacecraft has been completed. The vehicle, which weighs approximately 3.5 tons, is planned to be launched in the first months of 2027. After a journey of approximately two months, the vehicle will settle in the polar orbit of the Moon at an altitude of 100 kilometers. The mission aims to investigate the Moon’s surface, radiation environment, magnetic field and solar winds, as well as possible water resources. A domestically developed hybrid propulsion system will be used in the spacecraft.
TURKISH VEHICLE TO THE MOON IN 2027
According to the statement of the Ministry of Industry and Technology, Türkiye is increasing its international cooperation before the Moon mission.. Türkiye joined NASA’s Artemis Consensus on August 31, 2026. The agreement envisages peaceful and sustainable exploration of the Moon and other celestial bodies, sharing of scientific data and cooperation between countries. The congress in Antalya will be one of the most important international meetings before Türkiye’s Moon mission.
NEW RACE IN SPACE
Space is no longer an area where only states compete. Private companies; It is taking on an increasingly larger role in rocket launches, satellite technologies, space communications, data services, orbital infrastructure and lunar missions.. Special programs will be organized for entrepreneurs and new technology companies in the Future Space area created within the scope of IAC 2026. The Beyond Orbit program, carried out by TÜBİTAK, aims to bring together startups in the field of space with international investors and industry representatives.
Türkiye’S SPACE ECOSYSTEM
Türkiye’s space goals are not limited to the Moon mission. Following the experience gained with satellites such as İMECE and Türksat 6A, Turkey aims to create a broader ecosystem in satellite technologies, space vehicles, rocket systems and scientific research. Work is being carried out to establish a space technologies development zone in Ankara in cooperation with the Turkish Space Agency, TÜBİTAK and universities.. With the congress in Antalya, Türkiye’s space program will appear before the global industry on this scale for the first time.
