NASA Deputy Administrator Highlights Türkiye's Role in Future Moon Base Construction

NASA Deputy Administrator Matt Anderson has identified Türkiye as a potential contributor to future lunar exploration. In an interview on October 5, 2026, during the 77th International Astronautical Congress (IAC 2026) in Antalya, Türkiye, he expressed enthusiasm about Türkiye’s involvement following the nation's signing of the Artemis Accords.

Türkiye joined the international framework for peaceful civil space exploration on September 1, becoming the 71st signatory when Industry and Technology Minister Mehmet Fatih Kacir signed the agreement. Anderson stated that Türkiye's participation allows it to join other signatories in building a Moon base, benefiting its engineers and scientists, as well as potentially sending astronauts.

He linked Türkiye's commitment to space to its increasing national priority in this area, particularly under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's leadership. Anderson noted that Türkiye's forthcoming plans include launching its first domestically built lunar spacecraft in early 2027. Additionally, Turkish astronaut Alper Gezeravci made history as the first individual from Türkiye to travel to space after his mission to the International Space Station in January 2024.

The congress served as a platform for members of the Artemis Accords to foster cooperation through trust and collaboration. Anderson remarked on the opportunity for NASA to engage with other international space agencies and governments to align objectives.

Amidst these developments, Anderson discussed the evolving competition between the United States and China in space, referring to it as "space race 2.0." He indicated that the current contest is more competitive than during the original space race of the 1960s and 1970s. While China aims to land astronauts on the Moon by 2030, NASA plans to achieve a crewed lunar return with Artemis IV in 2028.

Anderson emphasized that NASA’s focus is on scientific exploration and establishing a lasting lunar presence as a precursor to future missions to Mars. The IAC 2026, hosted by the Turkish Space Agency with co-host SAHA Istanbul, marks the first time Türkiye has hosted this significant international event.