Turkey Reportedly Nearing Completion of Rocket Launch Facility in Somalia


Turkey has reportedly begun advancing plans to construct a rocket launch facility in Somalia, with the project said to have commenced in December 2024, according to Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. Speaking to Military Africa, Mohamud emphasised the project’s potential benefits, highlighting its capacity to generate significant employment opportunities and revenue for the East African nation.
The president also highlighted that the project would be highly beneficial for Somalia, creating jobs and generating revenue for the nation. He noted that Somalia’s strategic location on the eastern tip of mainland Africa is ideal for launching rockets over the Indian Ocean, minimising the risk of debris falling into residential areas or neighbouring countries.
“I believe that the importance of Somalia hosting a launchpad for Turkish satellites goes beyond the billions of dollars and opportunities the project will generate,” Mohamud stated, underscoring the geopolitical significance of the initiative.
At the time of writing, the exact location of the launch site has not been disclosed. However, Somalia’s proximity to the equator and its access to the Indian Ocean make it a strategically advantageous location for rocket launches.
Official Statements on the Project
As the project is classified under defence, it remains shrouded in secrecy. Consequently, little to no official disclosure has been made regarding its details, including the timeline, operational framework, and broader implications. However, Turkish officials remain optimistic about Somalia’s approval of the test site request. Still, some hurdles persist.
Origins and Vision: Turkey’s Space Ambitions
The Somali launch site is part of Turkey’s broader aspirations to assert itself in the global space race, traditionally dominated by major powers. In 2021, Turkey unveiled a 10-year space road map that includes plans for missions to the moon, establishing a spaceport, and developing advanced satellite systems.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has outlined an ambitious space agenda, including a hard landing on the moon using a locally produced hybrid rocket. While the initial timeline targeted a launch in 2023 to commemorate the republic’s centennial, delays have pushed the programme forward. A second stage aims for a soft lunar landing in 2028, using indigenous technology to conduct scientific research on the moon.
One notable milestone for Turkey came in January 2024, when Turkish fighter pilot Alper Gezeravcı became the first Turkish citizen to reach low Earth orbit, spending nearly three weeks at the International Space Station.
The construction of the Somali launch site aligns with Turkey’s strategic goals. Somalia, a key Turkish security partner since 2011, already hosts Turkey’s largest overseas training base. The government’s preliminary estimates indicate that establishing and maintaining a spaceport in Somalia would exceed USD 350 million. However, as of publishing this story, Space in Africa has not verified whether the mission statement and financial details reported in February 2021, when the news first emerged, remain the operational framework or if any modifications have been made to the initial plan.
Reports dating back to September 2024 also hinted at the possibility of the project, with Turkey reportedly engaged in advanced discussions with Somalia to kickstart the project within Somali borders. Then, during a programme in Mogadishu in December 2024, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud reportedly confirmed the project, announcing that Türkiye is constructing a facility in Somalia to launch rockets.
Africa’s Growing Spaceport Ambitions
Somalia’s spaceport project is part of a broader trend among African countries seeking to capitalise on their proximity to the equator. Several nations are actively exploring partnerships to develop spaceports, leveraging their strategic locations for orbital launches.
Djibouti’s Spaceport Vision
In January 2023, Djibouti signed an MoU with the Hong Kong Aerospace Technology Group and Touchroad International Holdings Group to develop an international commercial spaceport in the Obock region. The USD 1 billion project includes seven satellite launch pads, three rocket testing pads, and plans for an astronautical academy.
Providing updates on the project, Mr Aboubakar Hassan, Secretary-General of Djibouti’s Ministry of Higher Education and Research, told Space in Africa about the project’s potential to build local capacity and integrate Djiboutian engineers into space activities.
“For us, the real beginning is marked by signing the contract, where the roles and responsibilities of all involved parties are clearly defined, and the feasibility is validated. The Obock region is an excellent location, and we have the necessary legal framework to support such an investment. However, we are awaiting the finalisation of the contract details. We rely on experts to assess the proposed site at this stage,” Mr Hassan explained.
Kenya’s Space Ambitions
Historically home to the Luigi Broglio Space Centre in Malindi, Kenya is working to rejuvenate its space capabilities. The Italian-Kenyan partnership aims to develop the site into a hub for launching microsatellites for Earth observation, particularly for monitoring climate change. Plans are also underway to establish a strategic master plan for a spaceport, which may be undertaken as a joint venture with any of its allied partners or as a standalone Kenyan initiative.
Russia’s Proposals for African Spaceports
Russia has also proposed building spaceports in “friendly” nations, including Algeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe. According to Roscosmos, these locations, especially those closer to the equator, are being evaluated for their viability and strategic benefits. The equator’s rotational velocity significantly boosts payload capacity and reduces rocket fuel requirements.
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