NASA Welcomes Türkiye as Newest Artemis Accords Signatory

On Monday, August 31, 2026, the Republic of Türkiye became the 71st nation to sign the Artemis Accords, joining an international coalition of nations committed to peaceful and transparent space exploration. NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman welcomed Türkiye as the newest signatory at NASA Headquarters in Washington, alongside Turkish Minister of Industry and Technology Mehmet Fatih Kacır, Turkish Space Agency President Yusuf Kıraç, and U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Space and Environment Connor Tomlinson.

Isaacman emphasized that Türkiye's participation in the Artemis Accords will enable the nation to contribute hardware, scientific payloads, technology demonstrations, CubeSats, and other capabilities to future Artemis missions. The Accords, established in 2020, outline principles for peaceful and transparent exploration of the Moon, Mars, and beyond, ensuring safety, coordination, and respect for historical sites and artifacts.

Türkiye's commitment to space exploration is evident in its recent achievements. In 2024, the country's first astronaut, Alper Gezeravci, traveled to the International Space Station on Axiom Mission 3, conducting scientific research alongside NASA astronauts. The following year, Turkish astronaut Tuva Atasever participated in Virgin Galactic 07's suborbital mission, performing experiments and physiology research.

Türkiye is set to launch its first lunar mission, AYAP-1, joining a growing list of countries developing and launching satellites to the Moon.

The signing ceremony at NASA Headquarters also highlighted Türkiye's role in hosting the International Astronautical Congress in Antalya this October, where Artemis Accords signatories are expected to gather to discuss the future of peaceful and transparent space exploration.