Türkiye joins NASA Artemis Accords as 71st signatory

Türkiye has formally acceded to NASA’s Artemis Accords as the 71st signatory nation, with Industry and Technology Minister Mehmet Fatih Kacir affixing Ankara’s commitment to the international space exploration framework during a Monday ceremony at the agency’s Washington headquarters.

Principles of peaceful exploration

The accords establish principles for transparent cooperation in lunar and Martian missions, including peaceful exploration, sharing scientific data, rendering emergency assistance, and protecting historically significant sites and artifacts. NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman hosted the signing, stating that “It is my privilege to welcome the Republic of Türkiye as the 71st signatory of the Artemis Accords,” according to an agency statement. The framework was established in 2020 by NASA, the US State Department, and seven founding nations to govern international conduct beyond Earth’s atmosphere.

National space program advances

Ankara’s participation follows a period of accelerated activity within Türkiye’s space program, which sent its first citizen to orbit last year. Alper Gezeravci conducted scientific research aboard the International Space Station during his 2024 mission alongside NASA crew members, while researcher Tuva Atasever subsequently flew aboard Virgin Galactic’s VSS Unity. The Turkish Space Agency is currently preparing AYAP-1, the country’s inaugural lunar probe, which will join the limited roster of nationally developed satellites bound for the Moon’s surface.

The diplomatic milestone precedes the International Astronautical Congress, scheduled for October in Antalya, where Türkiye will host delegations from dozens of Artemis signatories to deliberate on future cooperative missions and technical standards. The gathering is expected to convene representatives from the expanding coalition of nations committed to transparent governance of outer space activities ahead of planned multinational lunar landings.