Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced the commencement of construction on a space launch facility in Somalia.
Speaking at the opening of the International Astronautical Congress (IAC 2026) in Antalya on Monday, the President stated that they are establishing a new partnership with Somalia regarding plans for a lunar mission.
“Taking into account Turkey’s geographical conditions, we are laying the foundation for a historic space partnership with our friendly and brotherly nation, Somalia, regarding space launch facilities,” the President said.
Continuing his remarks, the President added, “We have initiated construction work on the space facility to be established in Somalia, and we are resolutely pursuing the implementation of this strategic project. Beyond strengthening Turkey’s space capabilities through this initiative, we are also contributing to the development of the space ecosystem across the African continent.” Turkey has recently been accelerating its space program, which includes the design and manufacture of a new communications satellite and Ankara’s plan for a 2027 lunar mission. Ankara intends to conduct up to sixty research missions to the moon over the next decade.
President Erdogan did not specify the exact location where the space operations control center is being established in Somalia.
The base is believed to be under construction on the outskirts of the coastal town of Warsheikh in the Middle Shabelle region, along the Indian Ocean; Turkey selected the Somali coast for this project due to its strategic importance.
The site’s proximity to the equator makes it ideal for such experiments and for space-related activities, including the launching of rockets or satellite payloads.
The equator offers a significant advantage for rocket launches, facilitating escape from Earth’s gravity with less fuel or energy, as the rocket receives an additional natural boost from the Earth’s rotation.
