Short answer
TURKUZAYSAN, a young start-up that grew out of first-place finishes at TEKNOFEST, has unveiled the prototype of a test vehicle built to validate the guidance, navigation and control systems of lunar landers through real flights. The aim is to contribute better-tested systems with a higher chance of success to Turkey's Lunar Research Programme and grow the domestic space ecosystem.
Highlights
- The vehicle's prototype is complete and has moved into the testing phase.
- Between 100 and 300 free flights are planned.
- The process took more than 3 years including theoretical groundwork; physical manufacturing took about 1 year.
2 min read
Young start-ups are taking a growing share of Turkey's space ecosystem. According to Anadolu Agency, TURKUZAYSAN unveiled its lunar vertical landing test vehicle at Teknopark Ankara. Executives from TÜBİTAK UZAY also attended the ceremony.
What is the test vehicle for?
The vehicle is designed to test, through real flights on Earth, the guidance, navigation and control subsystems to be used in lunar landers. The company's founder, Emre Aklan, says the success rate of space missions is low because of their autonomous nature, and that to counter this, repeated tests need to be carried out in field conditions rather than in the laboratory. According to Aklan, the vehicle will be able to make around 100, 200 or even 300 free flights.
- It carries a liquid-fuelled propulsion system.
- Its modular design allows different propulsion systems to be fitted.
- Manoeuvring is provided by a reaction control system and thrust vector control.
How did the start-up come about?
The team emerged from a group of Atatürk University students who won first place in the Vertical Landing Rocket Competition, first held at TEKNOFEST in 2022. In 2025 the founders developed the project further in the TUSAŞ Hangar Kampüs Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme, where they again took first place. Aklan says the process took more than 3 years including the theoretical groundwork, while physical manufacturing took about 1 year, and that they prioritised domestic manufacturers and components.
Why does it matter?
Projects like this, which move from a competition to a product, show that Turkey's National Space Programme (Milli Uzay Programı) can advance not only through public institutions but also through a supplier ecosystem. For companies working in space, defence and advanced engineering, these start-ups can be a source of both collaboration and talent.
Frequently asked
- Will this vehicle go to the Moon?
- No. The vehicle is a test platform developed to try out, through real flights on Earth, systems that will go to the Moon.
- Where is TURKUZAYSAN based?
- The company works at Teknopark Ankara, located in the İvedik Organised Industrial Zone in Ankara.
Sources
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