Hello Earthling!

As Türkiye’s first astronaut, Alper Gezeravcı, commenced his journey back to Earth from the International Space Station at 17:00 on February 7, I settled at the keyboard and began composing this article. Following NASA’s costly space program, SpaceX’s business model has ushered in a new chapter for not only the US but also many other countries, including Türkiye.

The cost of launching satellites and sending humans into space has become significantly more affordable. Just as the discovery of new continents once influenced world trade, production processes, and industrialization, space exploration is poised to have a comparable impact. In numerous fields including electronics, robotics, software, and metallurgy, inventions and innovations are initially developed for space exploration, but eventually, they are commercialized and transformed into technologies that are widely utilized by society.

Issues such as the allocation of orbital space, lunar and Martian territories, and potentially other planets could become focal points of debate or conflict soon. Our institutions, including the Turkish Space Agency, TÜBİTAK, and the Ministry of Industry and Technology, are making significant strides under the umbrella of the “Turkish Space Science Mission.” Indeed, these endeavors are long-term projects. The crucial aspect is to meticulously plan this journey and embark upon it with determination.

Throughout this process, an ecosystem will emerge encompassing our universities, and public and private sector organizations, thereby paving the way for our advancement in various fields under the leadership of space exploration. In this edition of our Business Diplomacy journal, focusing on Türkiye’s space mission in depth, Ayşegül İldeniz, Global Technology Leader and Business Manager, has graciously shared her insights on Türkiye’s space activities. I hope you will find it fascinating to read. In this edition, you will discover a wide array of content, spanning from global trade to the “Development Road Project”, from Türkiye’s space mission to discussions about cryptocurrencies.