The Organization of Turkic States (OTS) is moving toward enhancing its strategic cooperation in the fields of space science and technology, as part of an ambitious vision aimed at elevating the technical presence of member states at the international level. These orientations clearly emerged in the "Ankara Declaration" issued at the thirteenth summit of the organization, which expanded the scope of cooperation to include advanced space and technical projects.
The TDT-SAT Joint Satellite Project
The development of the 12U TDT-SAT cubesat is one of the most prominent fruits of this technical cooperation. The organization announced the successful completion of the manufacturing phase, with expectations that the satellite will enter the final stages of testing during the current year. The satellite is planned to be launched in the second half of 2027 via the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, marking a practical step toward building a joint space infrastructure.
Integration of Space Industries and Technical Education
In a parallel step, member states signed a framework agreement in Antalya aimed at developing industrial capabilities in the space sector, with a focus on accelerating the legal and regulatory procedures necessary to support joint projects. The organization also pays great attention to human resource development, as programs such as the "Space Explorers Program" and the "TEKNOFEST" festival are supported as essential platforms to connect youth with technological innovation.
What Does This Cooperation Mean?
This move represents a shift from traditional diplomatic cooperation to deep technical partnership. For the region, this means:
- Localization of Technology: Building local capabilities in the design and manufacturing of small satellites.
- Exchange of Expertise: Promoting a culture of innovation through the science centers of the Turkish Technology Team Foundation (T3), which have reached 33 centers in 7 countries, attracting more than 6.5 million visitors.
- Project Sustainability: Creating a unified platform for innovative youth to exchange ideas and turn them into tangible projects, which reduces the technical gap between member states.
These steps, alongside hosting the International Astronautical Congress (IAC) in member states, affirm the desire of the Turkic states to establish their position as an active player in the global space economy, with a focus on building a new generation of engineers and scientists capable of leading this transformation.