Türkiye Joins Artemis Accords as 71st Signatory Nation

The Republic of Türkiye officially joined the Artemis Accords on August 31, 2026, becoming the 71st signatory of the international coalition. Turkish Minister of Industry and Technology Mehmet Fatih Kacır signed the agreement during a ceremony at NASA headquarters in Washington, hosted by NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman.

The accords establish a framework for the peaceful, transparent, and sustainable exploration of the moon, Mars, and outer space. Signatories commit to sharing scientific data and protecting historical sites. Isaacman stated that the addition of Türkiye aligns with goals to accelerate the return to the lunar surface and establish a permanent Moon Base.

This diplomatic milestone follows Türkiye's recent space achievements, including the 2024 human spaceflight missions of astronauts Alper Gezeravcı and Tuva Atasever. The agreement also precedes the launch of Türkiye's first lunar mission, AYAP-1, and allows the nation to contribute hardware and technology to future Artemis missions.

The signing occurs as Türkiye prepares to host the 77th International Astronautical Congress in Antalya from October 5–9, 2026, which will serve as a platform for signatories to discuss the future of global space exploration.