The National Space Program has been designed to implement Türkiye’s space vision, strategies, goals, and projects in a coordinated and integrated manner. It lays the foundation for the country’s long-term space policy and technological advancement.
Türkiye’s National Space Program
Pioneering Scientists of the Turkic World in Astronomy and Space Studies
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01
Al-Khwarizmi (Harezmi) (780-850)
Born in the Khwarazm region, he conducted research at the House of Wisdom (Bayt al-Hikma) in Baghdad.
Contributions: Made foundational contributions to algebra and trigonometry. His astronomical texts greatly enhanced understanding of planetary and stellar motion.
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02
Al-Farghani (Fergani) (805–870)
Born in the Fergana Valley, he worked in Baghdad under Caliph Al-Ma'mun. Known in the West as “Alfraganus.”
Contributions: Calculated the Earth’s axial tilt and studied the motions of celestial bodies in detail. His astronomical tables were used as textbooks in European universities for centuries.
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03
Al-Battani (Betlani) (858–929)
Born in Harran, he is one of the most influential astronomers in the Islamic world and was known in the West as “Albatenius.”
Contributions: Calculated the solar year as 365 days, 5 hours, and 46 minutes. He studied the motions of the Sun and Moon and introduced trigonometric functions like sine, cosine, and tangent.
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04
Abu al-Wafa (Ebül Vefa) (940–998)
Born in Buzjan (in present-day Iran), he specialized in mathematics and astronomy.
Contributions: Introduced sine, cosine, and secant functions to trigonometry. Studied irregularities in the Moon's motion and developed astronomical observation instruments.
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05
Ibn al-Haytham (Alhazen) (965–1040)
Born in Basra, he was a pioneering figure in optics, mathematics, and astronomy. Known in the West as “Alhazen.”
Contributions: Revolutionized optics by studying the behavior of light, reflection, and refraction. Investigated planetary and lunar motion, and discovered the principle of the camera obscura. His influential work Kitab al-Manazir (Book of Optics) impacted both the Islamic world and European science.
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06
Al-Biruni (Biruni) (973–1048)
Born in Khwarazm, he was a polymath contributing to astronomy, geography, and geodesy.
Contributions: Accurately calculated the Earth's circumference and studied the Moon’s distance from Earth. He also developed early ideas about gravity and wrote influential texts on astronomy and geography.
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07
Qadi Zada al-Rumi (Kadızade-i Rumi) (1337–1430)
Also known as Musa Pasha, he was a mentor to Ulugh Beg and a key figure at the Samarkand Observatory.
Contributions: Focused on increasing the mathematical precision of astronomical calculations. He contributed to the foundational computations of Zij-i Ulugh Beg.
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08
Al-Kashi (Jamshid al-Kashi) (El-Kâşî) (1380-1429)
Born in Kashan in the Turkestan region, Al-Kashi worked in Ulugh Beg’s observatory and made groundbreaking contributions to astronomy and mathematics.
Contributions: Calculated the value of pi with remarkable precision and was among the first to use decimal fractions. He also developed several astronomical instruments.
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09
Ulugh Beg (Ulug Bey) (1394-1449)
A renowned sultan and scientist of the Timurid Empire, Ulugh Beg founded one of the largest observatories of his time in Samarkand, attracting prominent scholars.
Contributions: Created the Zij-i Ulugh Beg, a highly accurate star catalog. His observatory housed some of the most advanced astronomical instruments of the period.
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10
Ali Kuşçu (1403-1474)
Born in Samarkand under the Timurid Empire, Ali Kuşçu was a student of Ulugh Beg and worked in his observatory. He later moved to the Ottoman Empire and contributed to scientific activities during the reign of Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror.
Contributions: Authored works in trigonometry, mathematics, and astronomy. He is believed to have played a foundational role in the establishment of astronomical studies in Istanbul.
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11
Taqi al-Din (Takiyüddin) (1526-1585)
A leading Ottoman astronomer who established the Istanbul Observatory in 1577 during the reign of Sultan Murad III. Despite its advanced instruments, the observatory was later dismantled for religious and political reasons.
Contributions: Produced significant works in astronomy, mathematics, engineering, and optics. He systematically studied trigonometric functions and examined the movements of the Moon and stars in detail.
Türkiye's Breakthroughs in the Field of Space Studies
Today, Türkiye possesses the knowledge and capacity to manufacture both Earth observation and communication satellites domestically.
This historic mission elevated Türkiye’s prestige in the space field while also contributing to scientific advancement through 13 space experiments, marking a significant academic milestone.
This mission is expected to contribute critical findings to global scientific literature, such as:
- The origin of lunar water,
- The local magnetic field structures of the Moon,
- The presence and distribution of water ice in the polar regions.
Additionally, infrared observations to be conducted during the mission will support global climate studies on Earth.
The country has made substantial progress in hybrid rocket technology, which plays a vital role in enhancing launch capabilities. Türkiye is among the limited number of nations possessing this advanced propulsion technology.
Located at the crossroads of three continents, Türkiye offers a unique geographic position for accessing various orbital paths. This provides a strategic advantage for both Earth observation and communications satellites.
As part of this initiative, Türkiye is working on one of the most critical components of positioning satellites: the Rubidium Atomic Frequency Standard (RAFS). The project aims to develop atomic clock technology essential for high-precision navigation systems.
Efforts are ongoing to establish the Space Technologies Development Zone in Ankara, which will foster coordination between institutions and stakeholders in the space industry and enhance industrial capabilities across the ecosystem.