ROKETSAN CEO İkindji says partnerships are vital for global competition in space

ROKETSAN CEO Murat İkindji underscored the importance of international partnerships to strengthen global competitiveness at the 77th International Astronautical Congress in Antalya.

Scraper SystemOctober 07, 2026, 10:36 AM

ROKETSAN CEO İkindji says partnerships are vital for global competition in space

A panel addressing the balance between geopolitics and innovation in an unstable world was held as part of the 77th International Astronautical Congress in Antalya. The panel examined global competition in the space sector, institutional flexibility and countries' independent capabilities.

ROKETSAN CEO Murat İkindji said international partnerships play a key role in strengthening the company's competitiveness. İkindji said the company's goal was not merely to operate in Türkiye's domestic market, adding that it needed to establish a presence in global markets in order to compete internationally.

İkindji said Türkiye's independent access to space was a strategic objective. He noted that Türkiye's ŞİMŞEK program aims not only to develop a launch vehicle but also to create a space ecosystem.

Digital access and the space economy in Africa

Khumbulani Mudau, director general of the South African National Space Agency, said approximately 40 percent of Africa's 1.6 billion people lack access to digital technologies. Mudau said the continent's space economy could reach $40 billion within the next three years.

Redwire President Mike Gold said the technologies they are developing have broad civilian applications, including agriculture, surveillance and efforts to combat human trafficking. Robbie Schingler, co-founder of Planet Labs, said the company plans to obtain images of the entire Earth every day through satellites.

Congress to continue through October 9

The International Astronautical Congress brings together experts from around the world to address key issues facing the space sector. Held under the theme “The World Needs More Space,” the congress is organized by the International Astronautical Federation and coordinated by Türkiye's Ministry of Industry and Technology.

The Türkiye Space Agency and SAHA Istanbul are among the congress's co-organizers. The event will continue in Antalya through October 9.

ROKETSAN CEO İkindji says partnerships are vital for global competition in space

ROKETSAN CEO Murat İkindji underscored the importance of international partnerships to strengthen global competitiveness at the 77th International Astronautical Congress in Antalya.