en.Wedoany.com Reported - On August 13, Türkiye's Minister of Industry and Technology, Mehmet Fatih Kacır, revealed that the country's domestically developed lunar probe is planned for launch in early 2027, and the onboard domestically produced hybrid propulsion system has completed testing. The mission, led by the Turkish Space Agency, marks Türkiye's first deep space exploration project.
The probe, developed by the Space Technologies Research Institute of the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Türkiye, weighs approximately 3.5 tons and has a domestic content rate exceeding 80%. According to the mission plan, after separation from the launch vehicle, the probe will use its own attitude control and propulsion systems to enter lunar orbit, conducting imaging of the lunar surface, surface feature analysis, local magnetic field measurements, radiation environment monitoring, and detection of potential water resources.
The probe carries six types of scientific mission payloads, three of which are domestically developed by Türkiye, with the remaining payloads developed through international cooperation. Onboard equipment includes video cameras, a visual navigation system, radiation dosimeters, radiation calorimeters, and related detection instruments. The flight computer, power distribution, communications, thermal control, reaction wheels, and structural components are also primarily undertaken by Turkish institutions.
The hybrid propulsion system was developed by DeltaV Space Technologies, a Turkish company. This technology combines solid fuel with liquid oxidizer and is used for deep space maneuvers after the probe enters lunar orbit. The Turkish Space Agency previously disclosed that DeltaV's two-stage hybrid rocket system achieved a flight altitude exceeding 200 kilometers during tests.
In June of this year, the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Türkiye disclosed that the probe is planned to embark on its lunar mission within 2027. Kacır has now further specified the launch window as early 2027, though the specific launch vehicle, launch site, and launch date have not yet been announced.
Türkiye is also simultaneously constructing an equatorial space launch site in Somalia. The project has completed feasibility studies and design work and has entered the first phase of construction. Once completed, the launch site will be used for Türkiye's autonomous satellite, probe, and launch vehicle missions, but existing information has not yet confirmed whether the 2027 lunar probe will be launched from this facility.
