Turkic states plan space days and joint satellite

The Organization of Turkic States (OTS) is focusing on new projects to raise its global visibility in space science, technology and innovation and to deepen cooperation among its members, Anadolu Agency reported.

Member states plan to hold “Turkic World Space Days” in addition to major international space events.

Space and aviation decisions and recommendations were featured in the Ankara Declaration of the OTS 13th Summit, alongside economy, trade, and diplomacy. The space section is considerably longer than in last year’s Bishkek Declaration.

The International Astronautical Congress (IAC), the largest event in the field, has been hosted by Turkic states in recent years. The process began in Azerbaijan in 2023 and continued in Türkiye this year. Uzbekistan is scheduled to host the event in 2028.

Organization of Turkic States flag alongside Turkic nation flags, accessed on Oct. 10, 2025. (AA Photo)

Joint satellite targeted for 2027 launch

Production of the 12U TDT-SAT cube satellite, developed within the OTS, is complete. Remaining tests are to be finalized this year, and the launch is planned for the second half of 2027 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.

On Oct. 6, the member states signed the first framework agreement on developing cooperation capacity in the space industry within the OTS in Antalya, a Mediterranean coastal city in southern Türkiye. They are expected to speed up the remaining legal, regulatory and technical steps for the satellite launch.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan (3rd L), Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Peter Szijjarto (C), Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Murat Nurtleu (2nd L), Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan Jeyhun Bayramov (R), Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan Bakhtiyar Saidov (2nd R), Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kyrgyzstan Jeenbek Kulubayev (3rd R) and Secretary General of the CIS Kubanychbek Omuraliev (L) pose for family photo during Informal Summit of the Organization of Turkic States Meeting of Foreign Ministers in Budapest, Hungary on May 21, 2025. (AA Photo)

Youth programs and TEKNOFEST

The Türkiye Space Agency’s “Space Explorers Türkiye Space Camp Program” is to continue and expand. The program aims to inspire younger generations, develop the space sector workforce and strengthen ties among Turkic youth.

Organizers also aim to hold the TEKNOFEST Aerospace and Technology Festival, which brings young people together around technology, innovation and aerospace, in the region again.

Elvan Kuzucu Hidir, chair of the Türkiye Technology Team Foundation (T3 Foundation), told Anadolu Agency the foundation runs science centers in Türkiye, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), Mauritania and the Balkans, alongside the Deneyap Technology Workshops that offer practical technology training. He said the 33 centers in 7 countries have reached more than 6.5 million visitors.

Hidir described TEKNOFEST’s inclusion in the OTS declaration as “an important indicator of strong will” for a shared future.

November 03, 2026 05:18 PM GMT+03:00