Ambassador of Luxembourg Daniel Da Cruz and the accompanying delegation visited our Institute on 16 February 2026. During the visit, current engagements between Türkiye and Luxembourg in the fields of space research and space technologies, as well as potential areas for cooperation, were discussed; mutual exchange of information and experience was carried out.
The Luxembourg side presented its vision for building a sustainable space economy, highlighting the importance of strong legal and financial frameworks that support the commercialization of innovative initiatives. Emphasis was also placed on attracting highly qualified talent through competitive education programs and strengthening public–private partnerships to foster a dynamic and resilient space ecosystem.
During the discussions, TÜBİTAK’s Department of International Cooperation shared updates on ongoing dialogue with the Luxembourg National Research Fund (FNR) regarding the potential establishment of a bilateral cooperation mechanism. The Memorandum of Understanding signed with Luxinnovation was also addressed, underlining the shared intention to accelerate institutional engagement.
Our Institute presented its strategic project portfolio and core engineering capabilities. Progress under Türkiye’s Lunar Mission was outlined, including mission architecture, subsystem development, and system-level integration efforts. Satellite development competencies and advanced Assembly, Integration and Testing (AIT) infrastructure were highlighted as key pillars of national space capability.
As a result of the meetings, cooperation opportunities were evaluated in the fields of joint satellite development projects, training and capacity building programs, strategic product procurement, and data and experience sharing. In addition, the issue of strengthening the institutional ties between Luxembourg, which plays an active role within the European Space Agency, and the Turkish Space Agency was also discussed.
The 77th International Astronautical Congress (IAC), to be held in Antalya on 5–9 October 2026 under the auspices of the International Astronautical Federation, was noted as a valuable platform to advance these cooperation areas toward concrete initiatives. The visit reaffirmed the shared commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation in the space sector and to building long-term, high-impact partnerships that contribute to sustainable growth and technological advancement in the global space ecosystem.
