Turkey has taken a historic step towards achieving “Independent Access to Space,” the most strategic phase of its National Space Program. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announced that a “Spaceport” will be built in Somalia under an agreement signed with the country, that the feasibility studies for the project have been completed, and that the first phase of construction has begun under the coordination of the Turkish Space Agency (TUA).
Details shared by Minister of Industry and Technology Mehmet Fatih Kacır indicate that the project is not merely a construction activity, but a critical milestone for Türkiye's ballistic and space technologies. So, what does the choice of Somalia technically mean, and how will this space base affect rocket performance? Here is a technical analysis of the project.
Why Somalia? Here are the Equatorial Advantage and Strategic Reasons.
The choice of spaceport location is a decision based entirely on the rules of physics and mathematics, not politics. There is a significant difference between launches that Türkiye would make (for example, from Sinop) and those it would make from Somalia. “"Useful Payload" There is a difference.
- Earth Rotation Speed Advantage (Delta-V Bonus): As the Earth rotates on its axis, it travels approximately per hour along the equator. 1,670 km It moves rapidly. The closer you launch to the equator, the more speed your rocket gains as a "free" initial velocity at launch. At more northern latitudes, like in Turkey, this speed is lower. A rocket launched from Somalia, with the same fuel, would reach orbit... heavier load can carry.
- Orbital Mechanics and Fuel Economy: Where communication satellites are located Geostationary Orbit (GEO), ekvator düzlemindedir. Ekvatordan fırlatılan roketler, yörünge eğikliğini düzeltmek için (Dogleg manevrası) ekstra yakıt harcamak zorunda kalmaz. Bu, fırlatma maliyetlerini %20-%30 oranında düşürebilen devasa bir mühendislik avantajıdır.
Launch Corridor and Safety Area (Azimuth)
Türkiye's geographical location restricts its launch corridor. The falling stages (booster) of a rocket launched from Türkiye carry the risk of falling on populated areas or neighboring countries.
- Somali Advantage: Somalia's eastern coast, facing the Indian Ocean, is used for rockets. a perfect and endless launch window It offers a unique feature: the first and second stages of the rockets will separate and land safely in the ocean, not on the territory of any country. This simplifies range safety procedures and reduces insurance costs.
Facility Infrastructure: What Will Be in a Spaceport?
The project, which President Erdoğan described as "3 Phases," is not just a concrete ramp. An international standard spaceport includes the following complex structures, and this infrastructure will be established in Somalia by TUA:
- Launch Pads: The areas where the rocket is brought to a vertical position, refueled, and launched.
- Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB): Huge, dust-free hangars where rocket components (engine, fuselage, payload) are assembled horizontally or vertically.
- Mission Control Center (MCC): The brain trust building where the launch moment is managed second by second and all data is monitored.
- Telemetry and Tracking Stations: Radar systems that track the signals (speed, altitude, pressure) sent by the rocket as it exits the atmosphere.
- Fuel Production and Storage Facilities: Safe areas where cryogenic (very low temperature) fuels such as liquid oxygen and hydrogen are stored.
Roketsan Test Site for MUFS and Hybrid Engines
This port is part of Türkiye's space history. Roketsan developed by Micro Satellite Launch System (MUFS) And LIGHTNING It will be the main home of launch vehicles such as these.
Especially the one that Türkiye is working on. Hybrid Rocket Engine Thanks to this port, this technology will be transformed into a commercial product. Minister Kacır's stated goal of a "global commercial space market" means that Türkiye will be able to launch not only its own satellites but also those of other countries or companies into space for a fee.
Strategic Outcome
The Somali Spaceport is a strategic "Gateway to the Equator," similar to France's base in French Guiana (Kourou) and the US's base in Florida (Cape Canaveral). With this project, Türkiye will advance in rocket technology. “Sea-Level from the tests, real “Orbital Launch They will have completed the infrastructure to transition to that skill.
Keywords: Somali Spaceport, Equatorial Launch Advantage, TUA, Roketsan MUFS, Delta-V, orbital mechanics, spaceport infrastructure, launch corridor, Turkish space technology.
