The 77th International Astronautical Congress (IAC 2026), hosted by Türkiye for the first time, was held in Antalya between October 5-9, 2026. Bringing together space agencies, astronauts, scientists, researchers, and industry representatives from 111 countries around the world, the congress served as a premier platform for TÜBİTAK UZAY to share its national space technologies, scientific studies, and future objectives with the international space ecosystem.
TÜBİTAK UZAY participated as a Bronze Sponsor in the congress, organized by the International Astronautical Federation (IAF) under the coordination of the Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Industry and Technology, and hosted by the Turkish Space Agency (TUA) and SAHA Istanbul. Alongside its promotional efforts at the Türkiye Pavilion and its dedicated exhibition booth, TÜBİTAK UZAY actively contributed to the scientific and sectoral programs of the congress. This active involvement included presenting 33 papers, delivering speeches in high-level and special sessions, and holding bilateral international meetings.
President Erdoğan: "We carry the knowledge and experience gained from our previous missions to our next goals."
Commencing with the speeches of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Minister of Industry and Technology Mehmet Fatih Kacır, the opening ceremony highlighted Türkiye's capabilities in space technologies and its objectives under the National Space Program.
Emphasizing that Türkiye is one of the few countries to design, develop, manufacture, test, and operate its own satellites, President Erdoğan highlighted the high-resolution Earth observation capability gained through İMECE as well as TÜRKSAT 6A's contributions to the country's engineering capacity.
Also addressing Türkiye's first lunar mission, President Erdoğan announced the completion of the manufacturing, assembly, and integration phases for the Lunar Spacecraft developed under the Lunar Research Program , adding that system-level environmental tests are currently underway. Highlighting that the spacecraft, which weighs approximately 3.5 tons, boasts an indigenous content rate of over 80 percent, he emphasized the transfer of engineering expertise from the İMECE and TÜRKSAT 6A projects to the lunar mission. Erdoğan remarked, "We do not start from scratch every time; we carry the knowledge and experience gained from our previous missions to our next goals."
İMECE, TÜRKSAT 6A, and the Lunar Spacecraft within the Lunar Research Program, highlighted in President Erdoğan's speech, are among the projects executed by TÜBİTAK UZAY.
Introducing Türkiye's National Space Technologies to the Global Audience
Throughout the congress, TÜBİTAK UZAY presented its technological capabilities at the Türkiye Pavilion and its dedicated booth, highlighting a comprehensive portfolio that spans from satellite development and human space exploration to Türkiye's first lunar mission.
Positioned between the Türkiye Pavilion and the NASA booth, TÜBİTAK UZAY welcomed international visitors at its independent stand to showcase its ongoing space projects.
The Institute exhibited 1/3-scale models of TÜRKSAT 6A, Türkiye's first indigenous communications satellite, alongside 1/2 and 1/3-scale models of İMECE, Türkiye's first sub-meter resolution Earth observation satellite, and a 1/3-scale model of the Lunar Spacecraft developed under the Lunar Research Program.
The space suit worn by Alper Gezeravcı during his mission under the Turkish Astronaut and Science Mission (TABM) was also among the prominent highlights of the exhibition area.
The Lunar Spacecraft model and the space suit, in particular, drew significant attention from international attendees. Visitors were provided with detailed information regarding the Institute's satellite and space systems, as well as the scientific objectives, technical specifications, and the engineering capabilities gained through Türkiye's first lunar mission.
Contributing to the Scientific Program with 33 Papers
Featuring 33 papers in the scientific and technical program of IAC 2026, TÜBİTAK UZAY presented its work on satellite and space systems, subsystem technologies, scientific research, and future space missions to the global scientific community.
TÜBİTAK UZAY Institute Director Mehmet Nefes participated as a speaker in two distinct events on October 6. He served as a panelist at the Host Country Plenary Session titled 'Bridging Eras: From Silk Road Astronomy to Lunar Exploration,' and later spoke about Türkiye's human space missions at a special session organized by Ömer Ataş, Project Manager of the TABM Project.
Astronaut Tuva Cihangir Atasever moderated a special session focusing on scientific experiments conducted in a microgravity environment.
During a session titled 'Türkiye's First Lunar Mission: Development of a High-Resolution Observatory for Lunar Water Cycle Processes' at the Global Networking Forum (GNF), Dr. Burak Yağlıoğlu, Project Manager of the Lunar Research Program, shared the mission's scientific objectives, technical efforts, and the resulting capabilities with the international audience.
Engineers and researchers from TÜBİTAK UZAY also shared the Institute's scientific and technological know-how with the international scientific community via technical poster presentations in different sessions.
Showcasing the Upgraded Gezgin Portal
One of the key highlights of the congress was the introduction of the upgraded version of the Gezgin Portal, which provides access to imagery obtained from Türkiye's national Earth observation satellites.
Featuring a modern and user-friendly interface, secure login access via e-Devlet, enhanced viewing and querying functions, and the RASAT archive updated with GÖKTÜRK-2 satellite imagery, the renewed Gezgin Portal was introduced to attendees through live demonstrations at the TÜBİTAK UZAY booth.
The Institute highlighted the opportunities space technologies offer across various sectors by sharing its initiatives to increase the accessibility of national satellite data, which can be utilized in a wide range of fields from disaster management to agriculture, and environmental monitoring to urban planning.
Exploring International Cooperation Opportunities
During IAC 2026, TÜBİTAK UZAY engaged in extensive discussions with space agencies, research organizations, international corporations, and sector representatives from various countries.
These discussions provided a platform to share the Institute's satellite and space systems development capabilities, ongoing projects, and future objectives, as well as to evaluate potential avenues for joint research, technology development, and international cooperation.
The contacts established during the event served as a vital foundation for reinforcing existing international relations and exploring opportunities for new technological partnerships.
Engaging with Space Enthusiasts on Public Day
During Public Day, held on the final day of the congress, the Institute welcomed hundreds of visitors to its booth.
Children and youth, in particular, had the opportunity to closely examine the scale models of İMECE, TÜRKSAT 6A, and the Lunar Spacecraft, view the spacesuit, and learn about Türkiye's space initiatives from the Institute's experts.
The interest and curiosity shown by visitors in space technologies was one of the valuable outcomes of the congress, helping to share national space activities with different segments of society and support the younger generation's interest in space science.
Strong Participation at IAC 2026
TÜBİTAK UZAY concluded IAC 2026 with a multifaceted presence. The Institute’s five-day agenda featured exhibition activities, the presentation of 33 technical papers, speaking engagements in high-level panels, two special sessions, a GNF presentation, international meetings, and the introduction of the Gezgin Portal.
During the congress, the Institute shared Türkiye’s technological expertise in satellite development, human space exploration, and the Turkish Lunar Mission with international attendees, and established key contacts for new collaborations.
With a strong focus on the future, TÜBİTAK UZAY remains committed to developing national space technologies, advancing its scientific and engineering capabilities, and strengthening Türkiye’s position in the international space ecosystem.
The Institute expresses its gratitude to the organizing bodies of IAC 2026, the stakeholders and visitors who engaged with its exhibition, and the colleagues who successfully represented TÜBİTAK UZAY in scientific, technical, and corporate capacities.
