The South African National Space Agency (SANSA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Turkish Space Agency (TUA) at the 77th International Astronautical Congress (IAC 2026) in Antalya, Türkiye. SANSA CEO Mr Humbulani Mudau and TUA President Mr Yusuf Kıraç signed the agreement. It sets out a framework for cooperation on shared priorities in space science and exploration, and SANSA describes it as the start of a new phase in space relations between South Africa and Türkiye.
The agreement draws on SANSA’s strongest capabilities. The agency’s space science programme, centred on space weather research, and its space operations programme, which provides ground station and mission support services, are among the most established on the continent. Both are directly relevant to a partner with exploration ambitions. Türkiye became the 71st signatory to the Artemis Accords in August and is preparing a lunar mission for 2027. The MoU therefore positions SANSA as a contributor of expertise and services to Türkiye’s growing lunar exploration ambitions, while strengthening South Africa’s role in international space cooperation
For Türkiye, the agreement strengthens its engagement with African space agencies. In 2024, TUA signed an MoU with the Senegalese Space Study Agency (ASES), focused on human capacity development and space infrastructure. While the agreement with ASES prioritises capacity development and institutional cooperation, the SANSA agreement places greater emphasis on scientific collaboration and space exploration. Together, the partnerships illustrate Türkiye’s engagement with African space agencies across complementary areas of cooperation, reflecting their respective priorities and strategic objectives.
As a framework instrument, the MoU does not yet specify projects, timelines, or implementation mechanisms. Its value for South Africa, and for the African space ecosystem more broadly, will depend on whether it leads to concrete activity, such as joint research in space science, SANSA support for Turkish missions, or exchanges that benefit SANSA’s regional partners.