Türkiye Joins Artemis Accords as 71st Nation in Lunar Cooperation
Turkey became the 71st signatory of the Artemis Accords during a ceremony at NASA headquarters, signaling its commitment to peaceful space exploration.
During a ceremony hosted by NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman at the agency’s Washington headquarters, the Republic of Türkiye signed the Artemis Accords, becoming the 71st nation to join the framework for transparent, peaceful space activities. Mehmet Fatih Kacır, Turkey’s Minister of Industry and Technology, affixed the signature, while Turkish Space Agency president Yusuf Kıraç and U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Space and Environment Connor Tomlinson attended.
The Accords aim to foster cooperation on lunar and future Mars missions, inviting signatories to contribute hardware, scientific payloads, and technology demonstrations. Turkey’s recent achievements include sending astronaut Alper Gezervaci to the ISS on Axiom Mission 3 and Tuva Atasever on a Virgin Galactic suborbital flight, and it is preparing its first lunar mission, AYAP-1. The agreement comes as Turkey readies to host the International Astronautical Congress in Antalya this October, where many signatories are expected to discuss the future of space exploration.
Why it matters
Turkey’s accession expands the international partnership supporting peaceful lunar exploration and future Mars missions.
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