Turkey has reportedly begun advancing plans to construct a rocket launch facility in Somalia, with the project said to have commenced in December , according to Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. The president also highlighted that the project would be highly beneficial for Somalia, creating jobs and generating revenue for the nation.
At the time of writing, the exact location of the launch site has not been disclosed. 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. Still, some hurdles persist.
In , Turkey unveiled a 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. A second stage aims for a soft lunar landing in , using indigenous technology to conduct scientific research on the moon.
However, as of publishing this story, Space in Africa has not verified whether the mission statement and financial details reported in February , 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 also hinted at the possibility of the project , with Turkey reportedly engaged in advanced discussions with Somalia to kickstart the project within Somali borders. Several nations are actively exploring partnerships to develop spaceports, leveraging their strategic locations for orbital launches.
