International Astronautical Congress opens in Antalya: Türkiye's lunar spacecraft is ready

The 77th International Astronautical Congress (IAC 2026) opened in Antalya on 5 October and runs until 9 October. The congress, which brings together the world's space agencies, companies and scientists, is being held in Türkiye for the first time under the theme "The World Needs More Space".

Opening the event, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announced that production, assembly and integration of the spacecraft built under Türkiye's Lunar Research Programme had been completed. The vehicle weighs about 3.5 tonnes and more than 80% of it is made domestically. Industry and Technology Minister Mehmet Fatih Kacır had earlier said it would be launched in the first months of 2027.

Erdoğan said Türkiye would not abandon its goal of becoming a "strong and respected" space power, recalled Türksat 6A — the country's first domestically built communications satellite — and mentioned the planned spaceport in Somalia. He also criticised the weaponisation of space, saying it is not spoils for whoever gets there first.

On the sidelines of the congress Erdoğan also met senior SpaceX executives.