Türkiye lands deal to send first manned mission to space

The Turkish Space Agency (TSA) and US-based space firm Axiom have signed an agreement to send the first Turkish manned mission to space.

“We have signed a historic agreement for the first manned space mission to be carried out in the 100th anniversary of our Republic,” Mustafa Varank, the Turkish industry and technology minister, said on Twitter, per Anadolu Agency.

“We will cooperate with Axiom Space for the training and flight service of the Turkish space traveller whose selection process is ongoing," he added.

TSA also tweeted that the two sides "have signed a historic agreement to send the first Turkish astronaut to expand scientific development on Earth and in orbit."

The agreement was signed during the International Astronautical Congress in Paris.