By: Nana
Appiah Acquaye
Türkiye has joined the
Artemis Accords, becoming the 71st country to sign the framework governing
responsible exploration and use of space.
Türkiye’s Minister of
Industry and Technology, Mehmet Fatih Kacır, signed the Accords on behalf of
the Republic of Türkiye on August 31, 2026, at a ceremony held at NASA
Headquarters in Washington, D.C.
The signing was witnessed by
U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Space and Environment Connor
Tomlinson and NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman.
The Artemis Accords were
launched by the United States and seven other countries in 2020 and have since
expanded to include countries from around the world committed to principles for
responsible and peaceful space exploration.
The United States Department
of State said Türkiye’s accession reflects the growing international support
for the Accords’ vision and highlights continued diplomatic and institutional
cooperation between the U.S. Department of State and NASA.
The addition of Türkiye also
strengthens the space partnership between Washington and Ankara, building on
their broader relationship as longstanding NATO allies.
The U.S. Department of State
said the development demonstrates the shared interest of the two countries in
strengthening cooperation and building a safer and more prosperous future
through space exploration and other areas of partnership.
Türkiye’s participation will
place it within an expanding international group working around common
principles for space exploration, including responsible use of space and
cooperation on future missions.
The milestone brings the
number of Artemis Accords signatories to 71, further broadening the
international framework supporting responsible space exploration and use.
