Türkiye begins construction of satellite launch facility in Somalia
Türkiye has officially started constructing a satellite and rocket launch facility in Somalia, marking a historic first for the country. Announced at the Take Off Istanbul 2025 conference, the project reflects Ankara’s growing role in the global space sector and strengthens long-term technological cooperation between Somalia and Türkiye
The Government of Türkiye has officially launched the construction of a space launch facility for rockets and satellites, marking the first time such an advanced aerospace base is being established in Somalia.
The development comes as Ankara accelerates its ambition to emerge as a competitive player in the global space race. Speaking at the Take Off Istanbul 2025 conference, Selçuk Bayraktar, Chairman of Turkish defense and aerospace company Baykar, confirmed that construction of the facility has begun at what he described as a “strategic coastal location” in Somalia.
Bayraktar stated that Türkiye now has a designated satellite launch site covering an area of approximately 30 km by 30 km, suitable for space operations. He noted that globally, there are only about 12 facilities of this kind, highlighting the strategic significance of the project.
He added that the launch base will be jointly used by Turkish companies, including Roketsan and Baykar, and that future plans include launching domestically produced space vehicles from the Somali site.
The new spaceport places Somalia on the global space map and positions it as an emerging hub in the region for aerospace activity. The project is expected to further strengthen Somalia–Türkiye cooperation in technology, security, and investment, while creating opportunities for advanced engineering and technical collaboration involving Turkish experts.
