The Economist’s article “Turkey is building a spaceport in Somalia” explores Türkiye’s ambitious ventures in space and its plan to construct a spaceport in Somalia. The article highlights that Türkiye’s Space Agency, established in 2018, announced a ten-year space program in 2021, which includes the development of domestic satellites and a moon landing. In this context, Türkiye’s first astronaut, Alper Gezeravcı, symbolized the country’s commitment to space exploration with his message, “The future is in the skies,” during his 14-day Falcon 9 mission in January 2024.

The article notes that state spending on space research and development has increased from $4.7 million in 2013 to a projected $140 million in 2025, though still a relatively small amount. In December, the Turkish government began the construction of a spaceport in Somalia, expected to cost $350 million. The facility is also planned to serve Türkiye’s defense industry by enabling missile tests. It is reported that missiles can be safely launched eastward from Somalia, and Türkiye is developing a new missile with a 2,000 km range.

Additionally, Türkiye’s domestic satellites are integrated with drones, allowing remote control from anywhere in the world. The article mentions that Selçuk Bayraktar, chairman of Baykar, founded a space technology company called Fergani Space in 2022. Last month, the company launched the FGN-100-D1 positioning and communication satellite, with plans to deploy 100 satellites over the next five years to create a global positioning system for military use.

The article also states that Türkiye has applied to join the International Lunar Research Station, a Chinese-Russian alternative to the U.S. Artemis program, a move that may concern Western allies. Moreover, challenges such as budget deficits and brain drain in the defense sector are highlighted as potential obstacles.

These developments illustrate Türkiye’s growing ambitions in space and defense, as well as its strategic moves in Africa, particularly in Somalia.