Ukraine and Turkey can definitely engage in joint projects in the space field, says Volodymyr Taftay, Head of the State Space Agency of Ukraine.
In an interview with Anadolu Agency, Taftay said that Ukraine is open to cooperation in the field of space within the defence industry.
He emphasized that Ukraine would like to visit the Turkish Space Agency in the second half of this year and discuss opportunities for cooperation. "I strongly believe that cooperation is much stronger than being alone in any project, especially with long-term partners like Turkey. Turkey has a very advanced industry, so I am completely sure we can engage in joint projects,” the official added.
Turkey and Ukraine can launch a joint space rocket
Noting that Turkey is a privileged partner for Ukraine, Taftay expressed his belief that a space rocket or satellite co-produced by Ukraine and Turkey could be sent into space with the consolidation of cooperation.
On the project of sending Turkish astronauts into space in line with Turkey's National Space Program, he said that sending astronauts into space is a kind of test and self-realization because the space industry has to go through many new procedures to be able to send astronauts.
“I think it's a very great, moving project for the Turkish people to have their own astronauts flying to space,” he asserted. Taftay also reminded that Ukraine had significant historical experience in launching systems and rockets, adding that the country is open to cooperation in these fields as well as satellites.
Ukraine's new space program
The Head of the State Space Agency of Ukraine said that the Agency’s priority is to launch the Sich 2-1 satellite together with the SpaceX company at the end of 2021 and the second is to implement a new space program.
He said Ukraine's 5th National Space Program ended in 2017, noting that the new program he prepared after taking office in March this year is in the process of being approved.
According to him, the new program is more result-oriented and that a floating space base project is included in the plan as well as satellites. He added that there is no suitable place for the construction of a space base in the country, thus, Ukraine is planning to build a floating base which completely manufactured in Ukraine.
He pointed out that Ukraine has reformed the structure of the country’s space industry and changed the law in 2020 as well as opened space activities to private companies.
