Science mission
✓ Concept✓ Design✓ BuildTest · NowCertificationIn service
AYAP-1 — Türkiye's Lunar Research Programme
Proves Türkiye's industrial base can deliver a deep-space spacecraft; more than 200 engineers in the programme.
Türkiye's National Space Programme was announced on 9 February 2021. Its first goal was "first contact with the Moon" in 2023, the centenary of the Republic, using international cooperation for the first stage and Turkish rockets for a later second stage. The 2023 date was not met; the sources opened do not give an official reason.
The Turkish Space Agency (TUA) leads the mission. TÜBİTAK UZAY developed the spacecraft on its TstarD-100 deep-space platform, drawing on its İMECE and TÜRKSAT 6A work. The Turkish company DeltaV developed the hybrid propulsion system (a rocket engine burning a solid fuel with a liquid oxidiser), which raises the orbit, transfers the spacecraft to the Moon and performs the final manoeuvres.
The spacecraft has two main modules, platform and propulsion, and weighs about 3.5 tonnes. It is 4.1 m in diameter at launch and 2.7 m × 8.3 m with panels deployed. More than 80% is domestic: 56 of 65 equipment items, including the flight computer, power regulation, S- and X-band communications and insulation. It carries four instruments: a radiation calorimeter and a radiation dosimeter (domestic), a lunar neutral particle telescope (with the Swedish Institute of Space Physics) and a narrow-angle lunar radiometer (with Shenzhen University).
In April 2026 TUA said launch was targeted for June 2027 on a SpaceX rocket. On 14–15 September 2026 the minister of industry and technology said production, assembly and integration were complete and the programme was 77% complete, measured from the start of 2022. (The 77% refers to the whole programme, not to the tests.) The spacecraft went to TUSAŞ USET for acoustic and vibration, thermal vacuum and electromagnetic compatibility tests. On 5 October 2026 President Erdoğan said these tests were under way.
Next: final preparations in TÜBİTAK UZAY's new clean room on the METU campus, Ankara, then shipment to Florida for launch in early 2027. After about two months in transit it will enter a 100 km circular polar lunar orbit and operate for at least three months, possibly up to 18 months. It then ends with a controlled descent into the lunar surface (a hard landing).
Showing 1–4 of 5
9 February 2021
Türkiye announced its National Space Programme. Its first goal was "first contact with the Moon" in 2023, the Republic's centenary, using international help for the first stage.
Why it matters: Set a deep-space goal that pulled national firms into spacecraft work.
21 November 2023
Thales Alenia Space announced it would supply a communication transponder for the mission.
Why it matters: One of the few foreign items on a spacecraft that is more than 80% domestic.
2023 (year only)
The 2023 target date passed without a launch. The sources opened give no official reason.
Why it matters: A reminder that first deep-space missions usually slip.
29 April 2026
TUA said launch was targeted for June 2027 on a SpaceX rocket.
Why it matters: Fixed the launch provider and a first firm date.
Start of 2022
The ministry measures programme progress from the start of 2022. The Turkish Space Agency (TUA) leads; TÜBİTAK UZAY develops the spacecraft on its TstarD-100 deep-space platform.
Why it matters: Built on TÜBİTAK UZAY's experience from earlier national satellites.
31 August 2026
Türkiye became the 71st signatory of the Artemis Accords, signed at NASA headquarters in Washington.
Why it matters: Opens doors to cooperation with US-led lunar programmes for Turkish suppliers.
14–15 September 2026
Production, assembly and integration of the 3.5-tonne spacecraft were completed and it moved to TUSAŞ's Space Systems Integration and Test Centre (USET). The programme was declared 77% complete. Launch was set for "the first months of 2027".
Why it matters: Shows Türkiye can build a deep-space craft with 56 of 65 equipment items made at home, including DeltaV's hybrid propulsion.
5 October 2026
Speaking at the International Astronautical Congress in Antalya, President Erdoğan said acoustic, vibration, thermal vacuum and electromagnetic compatibility tests were under way.
Why it matters: completion of the test campaign, the last big hurdle before shipment.
First months of 2027 (one tracker: no earlier than April 2027)
After final preparations in TÜBİTAK UZAY's new Ankara clean room, the spacecraft is to ship to Florida and launch on a SpaceX Falcon 9.
What to watch: the shipment date and the confirmed launch slot.
About two months after launch
After about two months in transit, the spacecraft is to enter a 100 km circular polar orbit around the Moon.
What to watch: orbit entry, the test of the domestic hybrid propulsion system.
At least three months after orbit entry (up to 18 months)
The spacecraft is to operate for at least three months, possibly up to 18, then end with a controlled descent into the lunar surface.
What to watch: science returns that would support a follow-on AYAP-2 mission.
Showing 1–1 of 3
Roles as published by TÜBİTAK, TUA and the Ministry of Industry and Technology to Oct 2026; SpaceX vehicle and pad from a launch tracker, not an official contract notice.
Showing 1–1 of 2
| Compared item | AYAP-1 (Türkiye) | Chandrayaan-1 (India) | Danuri / KPLO (South Korea) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Launch | Early 2027 (planned) | 22 Oct 2008 | 4 Aug 2022 |
| Launch vehicle | SpaceX (Falcon 9 per tracker) | PSLV-C11 (national) | Falcon 9 |
| Launch mass | ~3.5 t | 1,380 kg | Not verified |
| Lunar orbit | 100 km polar, circular | 100 km, raised to 200 km in May 2009 | ~100 km polar |
| Instruments | 4 | 11 (5 Indian, 6 foreign) | 6 (5 KARI, 1 NASA) |
| Surface contact | Controlled hard landing at end of mission | Moon Impact Probe (date not on source page) | None |
Free every Friday
Market Pulse, the nine regions and a course of the week — one email, free every Friday.
Your email address is used only to send you the free weekly edition and is never sold or shared. You can unsubscribe from any edition.