Retired astronaut Ewald says Türkiye taking major steps in space

Türkiye has taken significant steps in the space sector and emerged as an important actor through its satellite programs and efforts to pursue international cooperation, retired astronaut and professor Reinhold Ewald said.

“Türkiye has undoubtedly taken an important step in the space sector. It has made major efforts to become an important actor, both to meet its own needs through the satellites it launches into space and to seek opportunities for cooperation,” Ewald, a professor of astronautics and space stations at the University of Stuttgart, told Anadolu.

Ewald spoke to Anadolu on the sidelines of the International Astronautical Congress in Antalya, organized by the International Astronautical Federation (IAF), where Anadolu serves as the Global Communication Partner.

He said countries and people around the world benefit from activities conducted in space, pointing not only to human spaceflight but also to navigation and meteorological satellites, Earth observation and communications technologies that support people in their daily lives.

Ewald said awareness of the importance of space has continued to grow, which he said would also benefit further developments in the sector.

Moon first, then Mars

On the commercialization of space and space stations, Ewald said valuable lessons had been learned from spacecraft such as Soyuz and space stations such as Mir.

Having visited Mir himself, Ewald said the station was considered a “pioneer” because it provided valuable experience that later helped shape the operation of the International Space Station (ISS).

Developments in space do not happen suddenly but are the result of a long chain of progress, he said, noting that experience gained from Mir contributed to the ISS, while further lessons were subsequently learned through the Space Shuttle program.

Ewald said this continuous accumulation of knowledge and experience could now be extended to the Moon, where difficult conditions would pose new challenges in engineering and design.

After the Moon, humanity could eventually, perhaps years from now, explore ways to travel safely to Mars, he added.

Ewald also stressed the importance of mutual trust among crews working together in space, saying astronauts need thorough training and must know how to respond to unexpected situations.

He said it was particularly encouraging to see young people’s enthusiasm for spaceflight at the congress.

“Türkiye has undoubtedly taken an important step in the space sector,” Ewald said. “It has made major efforts to become an important actor, both to meet its own needs through the satellites it launches into space and to seek opportunities for cooperation.”

‘Türkiye becoming increasingly important in space community’

Also speaking to Anadolu at the congress, Axiom Space Chief Astronaut and Senior Vice President of Human Spaceflight Michael Lopez-Alegria highlighted Türkiye's growing role in the global space sector.

"Türkiye is becoming increasingly important in the space community," Lopez-Alegria said.

He pointed to the country's first human spaceflight with Alper Gezeravci in 2024, the domestically developed Turksat 6A communications satellite and Türkiye's plans for a lunar mission.

"The future is very bright for Türkiye," he said.

Lopez-Alegria also highlighted the capabilities of Turkish companies, including Aselsan and Roketsan, saying he was "extremely confident" they would become integrated into the low-Earth-orbit economy's supply chain.

He said Axiom Space is cooperating with the Turkish Space Agency and TUBITAK Space on further initiatives.

Lopez-Alegria said the company aims to help Türkiye become part of the broader low-Earth-orbit economy and ecosystem.