ESA concludes cooperation agreement with Turkey
The European Space Agency (ESA) has concluded a cooperation agreement with Turkey, formalising their 'cooperation in the exploration and use of outer space for peaceful purposes'. According to ESA, suitable areas for cooperation with Turkey include space science, Earth observation research and applications, telecommunications - in particular service demonstrations and satellite navigation - microgravity research, and ground segment engineering and utilisation. Cooperation activities will take the form of exchange of scientists, fellowships, co-organisation of symposia and conferences, joint experimentation and utilisation of ESA developed products and services, and promotion of educational activities in space science, technology and law. Some cooperative activities with Turkey are already underway, for example the hosting of an EGNOS RIM station in Golbasi and the utilisation of ERS and Envisat data by the Turkish scientific community. Among other initiatives currently under discussion is a proposal to make the Turkish Academy of Sciences a partner in the ESA/UNESCO 'space agencies open initiative on space technologies to support the World Heritage Convention'. The cooperation agreement will enter into force following completion of the Turkish approval process and will remain valid for a period of five years.
Countries
Türkiye