UZAY

Senior Management

M. Mehmet NEFES

Institute Director

Mehmet Nefes img

M. Mehmet NEFES received his bachelor's degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from Bilkent University in 2006 and his master's degree in Industrial Engineering - Engineering Management program from THK University. He carried out his graduate studies at BİL-Space Research Center between 2006-2007.

Mr. NEFES started his career as an R&D engineer at TÜRKSAT A.Ş. in 2006 and held various positions in the Satellite Design and R&D, Satellite Frequency Observation and Satellite Programs units within the organization. He played an active role in many critical projects such as communication satellites such as TÜRKSAT 4A/4B, TÜRKSAT 5A/5B, TÜRKSAT 6A, National Space Systems Integration and Test Center (USET) and satellite ground systems installations.

Between January 2021 and November 2023, he served as Director of Satellite Programs at TÜRKSAT A.Ş. During this period, he assumed important responsibilities in the fields of project management, technology consultancy and training services, and pioneered Turkey's first export projects in this field. On November 27, 2023, NEFES was appointed as the Director of TÜBİTAK Space Technologies Research Institute by the TUBITAK Presidency decision dated November 27, 2023, and he is still serving in this position.

On February 13, 2024, he was appointed as a member of the Board of Directors of the Turkish Space Agency by the Presidential Decree dated February 13, 2024 and he is actively carrying out this duty. He has been representing our country at the international level in the NATO Resilience Committee - Civil Communication Planning Group since March 2023 and in the Group on Earth Observations (GEO) since April 2025.

NEFES specializes in engineering management, satellite communication systems, command and control systems, satellite manufacturing and testing processes, reliability engineering, satellite procurement and launch services management, and has nearly 20 years of industry experience. He is married and has two children.