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Türkiye Completes First Homegrown Lunar Spacecraft for Mission
(MENAFN) Türkiye completes the manufacturing and assembly of its first domestically developed lunar spacecraft, with the 3.5-metric-ton vehicle now transferred to Turkish Aerospace Industries for a series of environmental tests, according to the country's industry and technology minister.
Mehmet Fatih Kacir says the spacecraft is expected to launch from Kennedy Space Center in early 2027 and should reach a polar orbit around the Moon at an altitude of 100 kilometers after a journey lasting roughly two months.
Once in lunar orbit, the spacecraft is planned to operate for three months, although its mission could potentially be extended to as long as a year and a half. During that period, locally developed scientific equipment will study solar winds, water formation, magnetic fields and radiation on the lunar surface.
Kacir says the project reflects Türkiye's broader objective of developing critical technologies independently, following a strategy similar to the one pursued in the country's defense sector.
The spacecraft incorporates key flight-control, communications and power technologies developed through earlier Imece and Turksat 6A satellite programs. Domestic components account for about 80% of the vehicle.
“The further tests will verify the spacecraft’s ability to withstand the harsh conditions it will encounter during launch and in the space environment,” he says.
After completing the environmental testing phase, the spacecraft will be moved to a newly established cleanroom facility operated by the Turkish Scientific and Technological Research Institution Space for final checks ahead of its planned mission.
Mehmet Fatih Kacir says the spacecraft is expected to launch from Kennedy Space Center in early 2027 and should reach a polar orbit around the Moon at an altitude of 100 kilometers after a journey lasting roughly two months.
Once in lunar orbit, the spacecraft is planned to operate for three months, although its mission could potentially be extended to as long as a year and a half. During that period, locally developed scientific equipment will study solar winds, water formation, magnetic fields and radiation on the lunar surface.
Kacir says the project reflects Türkiye's broader objective of developing critical technologies independently, following a strategy similar to the one pursued in the country's defense sector.
The spacecraft incorporates key flight-control, communications and power technologies developed through earlier Imece and Turksat 6A satellite programs. Domestic components account for about 80% of the vehicle.
“The further tests will verify the spacecraft’s ability to withstand the harsh conditions it will encounter during launch and in the space environment,” he says.
After completing the environmental testing phase, the spacecraft will be moved to a newly established cleanroom facility operated by the Turkish Scientific and Technological Research Institution Space for final checks ahead of its planned mission.
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