Turkey joins Nasa-led Artemis Accords

Turkey has joined NASA-led Artemis Accords on Monday, securing its place as the seventh Middle Eastern nation to do so. Turkish Minister of Industry and Technology Mehmet Fatih Kacir attended a signing event at NASA's headquarters in Washington to formalize Turkey's involvement in the coalition focused on peaceful and transparent space exploration.

Kacir expressed his eagerness for NASA officials to visit Turkey to witness the nation's enthusiasm for science and space, emphasizing Turkey's lofty ambitions in the field. Turkey aims to establish a sustainable presence in space and advance the peaceful utilization of space for the benefit of all humanity. Signing the Artemis Accords makes Turkey the 71st country to do so, bringing a bold vision to the coalition.

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman noted the significance of Turkey's participation, highlighting the shared vision between Ankara and the US to return astronauts to the Moon's surface. Turkey joins a list of Middle Eastern signatories that includes the UAE, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Jordan, and Israel. The accords, announced in 2020 during former President Trump's term, require participating nations to commit to peaceful space endeavors, transparent mission aims, mutual assistance during emergencies, and the public dissemination of scientific findings.

Turkey's first astronaut, Alper Gezeravci, visited the International Space Station in 2024 and spent 18 days aboard the orbital laboratory before returning to Earth. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan congratulated his nation on the achievement, wishing success in the endeavor. This year, Turkey will host the International Astronautical Congress in the autumn.

Some experts view the Artemis Accords as a US strategy to counteract Russia and China's growing influence in space, with China reportedly planning its own lunar exploration coalition.