South Africa and Türkiye have taken a step towards deeper cooperation in space science and exploration following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the South African National Space Agency (SANSA) and the Turkish Space Agency (TUA) at the 77th International Astronautical Congress (IAC 2026) in Antalya, Türkiye.
The agreement was signed by SANSA Chief Executive Officer, Mr Humbulani Mudau, and TUA President, Mr Yusuf Kıraç. It establishes a framework for collaboration in areas of mutual interest in space science and exploration, opening a new chapter in relations between the two countries' space institutions.
The partnership comes at a time when international cooperation is becoming increasingly important to the development of space capabilities, with countries seeking to expand their scientific expertise, strengthen technical infrastructure and participate in ambitious exploration programmes.
For South Africa, the agreement offers an opportunity to extend the international reach of its established space science and operations capabilities while strengthening its contribution to global space cooperation.
Building on South Africa's space expertise
SANSA's existing capabilities provide a foundation for potential collaboration under the agreement. Its space science programme, which focuses on areas including space weather research, and its space operations programme, which delivers ground station and mission support services, are among the agency's established areas of expertise.
These capabilities could be relevant to Türkiye as it advances its space exploration objectives, particularly its preparations for a planned lunar mission in 2027.
Space weather research is important to understanding solar activity and its effects on spacecraft, satellites, communications and other technological systems. Ground station infrastructure and mission support services, meanwhile, play an essential role in maintaining communications with spacecraft, receiving data and supporting mission operations.
Through closer institutional cooperation, SANSA could potentially contribute scientific knowledge and technical services to Türkiye's expanding space programme while gaining opportunities to strengthen its own research and operational capabilities.
Türkiye's growing commitment to international space exploration adds further significance to the partnership. The country became the 71st signatory to the Artemis Accords in August, aligning itself with an international framework of principles for responsible civil space exploration.
Although the MoU does not establish a specific role for SANSA in Türkiye's lunar mission, it creates a basis for exploring areas where the two agencies' capabilities and priorities intersect.
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| SANSA CEO Humbulani Mudau and TUA President Yusuf Kıraç sign the agreement. Source: SANSA |
The agreement also reflects Türkiye's broader engagement with African countries in the development of space science and technology.
In 2024, TUA signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Senegal's Space Study Agency, known as ASES. That partnership focused on human capacity development and space infrastructure, highlighting the importance of institutional cooperation and skills development in strengthening national space programmes.
The SANSA agreement places greater emphasis on scientific collaboration and space exploration, complementing the priorities outlined in Türkiye's engagement with Senegal.
Together, the partnerships demonstrate how cooperation between Türkiye and African space institutions can encompass different but complementary objectives, from building technical capacity and infrastructure to advancing scientific research and supporting exploration missions.
For African space agencies, such partnerships can create opportunities to access expertise, develop specialised skills and establish relationships that extend beyond traditional areas of scientific collaboration.
They also offer a platform for African institutions to contribute their existing capabilities to international initiatives rather than participate solely as recipients of technical assistance.
From diplomatic agreement to practical cooperation
Despite its strategic promise, the SANSA–TUA MoU remains a framework agreement. It does not yet identify specific projects, implementation timelines or mechanisms for delivering joint activities.
Its long-term significance will therefore depend on how the two agencies translate the agreement into practical programmes with measurable scientific and operational outcomes.
Potential areas of cooperation could include joint research in space science, exchanges between researchers and technical specialists, and collaboration on ground station services or mission support where the agencies identify shared requirements.
Other opportunities could involve training, knowledge-sharing initiatives and activities that strengthen the capabilities of South Africa's and Türkiye's space sectors.
For SANSA, the partnership could help expand international collaboration in its established areas of expertise while creating opportunities for South African scientists and engineers to participate in wider research and exploration initiatives.
For Türkiye, working with SANSA could provide access to relevant scientific knowledge and operational experience as the country develops its space exploration programme.
The benefits could also extend to the wider African space ecosystem if future activities create opportunities for regional institutions, researchers and emerging space programmes to participate.
A partnership whose impact will depend on implementation
The signing of the MoU represents an important institutional step, but its ultimate value will be measured by the work that follows.
Clear priorities, jointly agreed projects, defined responsibilities and practical implementation arrangements will be essential to ensuring that the partnership delivers tangible benefits for both countries.
If translated into sustained scientific collaboration and operational cooperation, the agreement could strengthen South Africa's international space partnerships while supporting Türkiye's ambitions in lunar exploration.
More broadly, it offers an opportunity to demonstrate how cooperation between established and emerging space programmes can contribute to scientific advancement, technical development and a more connected international space community.
For South Africa, the immediate challenge is to turn its established expertise in space science and mission support into concrete opportunities for collaboration. For Türkiye, the partnership offers another avenue for engagement with African space institutions as its exploration ambitions develop.
The MoU has established the framework. The next phase will determine whether that framework produces lasting scientific, technological and strategic gains.