According to the Ministry of Industry and Technology, the event “From Idea to Orbit: Meeting of Techno-Companies and Institutions in the Space Field” was held at METU Teknokent, which was held under the coordination of the Ministry and in cooperation with the Turkish Space Agency (TUA), SAHA Istanbul and METU Teknokent.
At the event, which was held with the aim of strengthening Türkiye's space and aviation ecosystem, popularizing the open innovation culture and connecting domestic techno startups with leading institutions in the industry, 12 innovative techno startups operating in the space and aviation field met with Türkiye's leading institutions.
As part of the program, the Qubitrium initiative, which won the award for the best presentation while the entrepreneurs gave presentations, received the right to directly participate in IAC 2026, which will be held in Antalya from October 5 to 9 and is considered the “Olympics” of the space world.
“The space sector has gained momentum beyond global economic growth”
In his speech opening the event, TUA President Yusuf Kıraç stated that the global space economy is expected to reach $1.8 trillion by 2035 and that the space sector has gained momentum beyond global economic growth.
Stating that the space economy is no longer an area operated only by public institutions, Kıraç has developed into a dynamic structure in which the private sector plays a crucial role, pointing out that a broad ecosystem has been formed covering the defense, energy, communications and services sectors, and it has become a strategic necessity for Türkiye to gain a strong position in this transformation process.
“IAC 2026 is an important threshold”
Emine Doğrukök, Advisor to the Minister of Industry and Technology and Director of IAC 2026 Antalya, explained that the congress offers important opportunities in terms of global visibility, investment and cooperation opportunities, especially for startups.
Pointing out the importance of supporting academic research, increasing entrepreneurial capacity, deepening international cooperation and taking an active role in policy-making processes as part of a planned strategy in the space sector, Doğrukök stated that the IAC 2026 is an important threshold for these goals.
Doğrukök explained that the congress, which will be held at Antalya's NEST Congress Center under the theme “The world needs more space”, will be not only a scientific meeting but also a strategic diplomacy platform that will bring together leaders of the global space ecosystem, astronauts and ministerial-level decision-makers.
METU Rector Prof. Dr. Ahmet Yozgatlıgil stated that METU, with its academic experience of more than half a century, has played a crucial role in Türkiye's space adventure.
Stating that the university, which houses the first Department of Aerospace Engineering in Türkiye, makes scientific contributions to the National Space Program with disciplines such as physics, electrical electronics and mechanical engineering, Yozgatlıgil explained that they bring together academic knowledge and entrepreneurial courage under the umbrella of METU Teknokent.
The Deputy Director General for National Technology and Artificial Intelligence of the Ministry of Industry and Technology, Dr. Damla Turan, also pointed out that the space sector is one of the key topics of technology and such meetings are not only a platform for meetings but also provide a strategic basis for joint product development and R&D activities.
Bir yanıt yazın