We evaluated the development of the region's space ecosystem and international cooperation opportunities at the Central Eurasia Space Technologies Conference - STC 2024, hosted by the Turkish Space Agency.
Minister of Industry and Technology Mehmet Fatih Kacır addressed the participants in a video message at the opening of the conference, emphasizing the importance of bringing together space communities around the world at a time when the space sector is growing and developing.
Kacır explained that as space becomes more accessible and new participants join the space race, the global space sector is making rapid progress, and that this growth has led to a significant development in terms of understanding the universe.
Stating that we have gained important capabilities in the production of imaging satellites with the BİLSAT, RASAT, GÖKTÜRK and İMECE satellites, Kacır emphasized that we will soon become one of the 11 countries competent in the production of communication satellites with the launch of the first national communication satellite TÜRKSAT 6A. "We aim to maintain our presence in space and use it peacefully for the benefit of all humanity. We are steadily developing our resources, capabilities, human capital and infrastructure. The Turkish National Space Program sets out a visionary roadmap outlining 10 years of bold initiatives, strategies and goals that exemplify our determination to push the boundaries of exploration and innovation. Under the leadership of our President, one of the milestones of our National Space Program was our first manned space science mission. We successfully completed this historic mission, demonstrating our emergence as a major player in the global space race and our unwavering commitment to exploration, innovation and progress."
In the panel titled "Development of the Space Ecosystem in Central Eurasia and Opportunities for International Cooperation" that followed, TÜBİTAK UZAY Institute Director Mehmet Nefes delivered a speech.
Drawing attention to TÜBİTAK UZAY's efforts to meet the country's needs in the field of space, Nefes said: "We know that international cooperation is no longer a choice but a necessity. Countries are also aware of this and want to reach a self-sufficient level by improving their capacities through cooperation." Underlining the great importance attached to international cooperation, Nefes said, "Cooperation in the field of space is not a choice but a necessity. Space has become more democratized and easier to access. Countries are aware of this and want to be self-sufficient. As NATO has declared, space will become an independent area of operation after sea, land, air and cyber."
Noting that TÜBİTAK UZAY is the leading organization in Turkey in the field of space technologies, Nefes shared images of our İMECE and TÜRKSAT 6A satellites.
Speaking at the panel on "Latest Technologies Leading Investment and Innovation in the Space Sector", Bülent Avenoğlu, Deputy Institute Director of TÜBİTAK UZAY, talked about the development of our country in space technologies and the role of our Institute in this field, while emphasizing the importance of our satellites, which were successfully completed under the leadership of our Institute, for the country.
Dr. Kaan Kalkan, Remote Sensing Group Leader, who was a panelist in the panel titled "Where Will We Be in the Future in Earth Observation Technologies?", explained the current state of earth observation technologies in our Institute and in the world. Underlining the importance of the developing earth observation and remote sensing ecosystem in our country, Dr. Kalkan said, "In the next decade, these technologies will be more accessible to end users both in our country and in the world."
Lastly, Dr. Burak Yağlıoğlu, Leader of the Lunar Exploration Program, who was the moderator and speaker at the panel "The Future of the Global Space Sector and Coordination between International Space Studies", shared the scope of Turkey's Lunar Exploration Program and the point reached in this regard with the participants. Speaking about the contributions of AYAP, of which TÜBİTAK UZAY is the executing institution, to the exploration of the Moon, the first stop for long space journeys, with domestic means, Yağlıoğlu said, "At this point our country has reached, we will now be able to safely carry out such deep space missions."
With STC 2024, which took place in Turkey this year, Turkey's progress in the space sector and opportunities for international cooperation were once again demonstrated. In addition to contributing to the development of the region's space ecosystem, the importance of Turkey in the field of space in the international arena was reinforced with the cooperation meetings held at this important event, which was widely attended by our Institute. While Turkey's decisive steps in the field of space and the pioneering role of TÜBİTAK UZAY were emphasized at the event, a platform was also created to support future collaborations. We would like to take this opportunity to thank all our business partners with whom we had the chance to meet.
