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- October 12, 202619°
Airbus seeks to expand space and satellite cooperation with Türkiye
Carlo Mirra, sales director of the Corporate Business Growth Business Development Unit at Airbus Defence and Space, said the 77th International Astronautical Congress, to be held in Antalya from October 5 to 9, 2026, would offer important opportunities for Türkiye’s space ecosystem.
Carlo Mirra, sales director of the Corporate Business Growth Business Development Unit at Airbus Defence and Space, said the 77th International Astronautical Congress, to be held at the Antalya NEST Congress Center from October 5 to 9, 2026, could strengthen cooperation between Türkiye and the international space sector.
Mirra said he was excited to come to Antalya for the congress, which will be held under the coordination of the Ministry of Industry and Technology, hosted by the Turkish Space Agency and co-hosted by SAHA Istanbul. He added that the event was also meaningful to him as recognition of his many years of work.
Nearly 40 years of experience in the space sector
Mirra said he began working with the International Astronautical Congress and the International Astronautical Federation in 1989 and held leadership positions on the federation’s technical and administrative committees for many years. Mirra, who currently chairs the federation’s Industry Relations Committee, said he had been inducted into its Hall of Fame for his contributions to space activities and astronautics.
Mirra said he was responsible for Airbus’s relations with the European Space Agency and noted that the company had been operating in Türkiye for many years and was following Türkiye’s growing political interest and industrial capacity. He said the National Space Program, the space plan, the flight of astronauts and the goal of independent access to space pointed to Türkiye’s efforts to develop its domestic industry and raise its profile internationally.
Congress in Antalya expected to draw 10,000 participants
Mirra said approximately 10,000 people were expected to attend the congress in Antalya. He said Turkish institutions had submitted more than 1,800 abstracts for the technical congress, adding that the event would enable Turkish researchers and industrialists to present their work in an international setting.
Mirra said the congress would facilitate an exchange of ideas in areas ranging from green propulsion systems to small satellite architectures. He added that established companies and startups in Türkiye would be in the same setting as international prime contractors and investors. He said these contacts could create opportunities for sharing expertise, presenting solutions and pursuing potential commercial agreements.
Emphasis on space diplomacy and human resources
Mirra said hosting such a major event would convey a message about Türkiye’s determination and credibility in participating in global space activities. He added that the congress could strengthen existing relations in international cooperation, space sustainability and security, while contributing to the establishment of new partnerships.
Mirra said Türkiye’s young population had significant potential to help train the space engineers and scientists of the next decade. He added that a conference such as the IAC would have a positive impact on students and younger generations. Mirra said Europe faced difficulties in finding and training qualified engineers, adding that Türkiye’s ability to sustain its economic goals depended on educating competent and motivated specialists.
Potential cooperation with TÜBİTAK under discussion
Mirra said Airbus was working on various cooperation opportunities at its permanent office in Ankara and was discussing potential partnership opportunities with TÜBİTAK. He said these areas included space, lunar exploration, human spaceflight and satellite communications.
Mirra said they were contributing to the development of Türkiye’s industrial capabilities through the Türksat program and wanted to maintain and expand this relationship within the framework of industrial cooperation and intergovernmental partnerships. He said it would be of interest to Airbus if Türkiye reached an agreement in this field with the European Commission, the European Space Agency or one of Airbus’s founding countries—France, Germany, Spain and the United Kingdom—and added that they were closely following developments in this area.
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