Turkey wants a launch site
January 6, 2026
Turkey has confirmed that it has initiated construction of a rocket launch site in Somalia, in North-East Africa. The selection of Somalia for the launch site is driven by its proximity to the equator, which provides a technical advantage for satellite launches. Phase 1 of the build is expected to take about 12 months with an operational readiness in early 2027.
The project, part of the Türkiye’s National Space Programme, aims to eliminate external dependency for satellite launches while positioning the country as a competitive actor in the global space economy.
The nation’s Minister of Industry and Technology Mehmet Fatih Kacır confirmed the milestone on December 30th 2025, stating that feasibility and design work for the facility had been finalised. The project is being coordinated by the Ministry and the Turkish Space Agency (TUA) on land allocated to Turkey under a bilateral cooperation agreement with Somalia.
The selection of Somalia for the launch site is driven by its proximity to the equator, which provides a technical advantage for satellite launches. Because the Earth’s rotational speed is highest at the equator, rockets launched from this latitude require less fuel to transport heavy payloads into orbit compared to higher latitudes.
Additionally, Somalia’s coastal geography allows for launch trajectories over open water, reducing risks to populated areas. Unlike Türkiye’s domestic geography – where northern launches face the Black Sea and southern launches traverse sensitive airspace near Cyprus and Israel – Somalia offers year-round favourable weather and low air and maritime traffic density.
“Türkiye’s possession of a spaceport is a strategic step that will position our country as an independent, competitive, and globally influential actor,” stated Minister Kacır. The facility will be protected by existing security frameworks, including the established Turkish military presence in the region.