The 2026 International Astronautical Congress took place in Antalya, Turkey, serving as a platform for the host nation to highlight its space industry achievements. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan noted progress since the 2021 launch of the National Space Program, including the country's first astronaut mission to the ISS and the development of the Türksat 6A satellite.
During the event, leaders from 21 countries adopted the Antalya Declaration, which focuses on space cooperation and peace. President Erdoğan also publicly criticized the weaponization of space and the potential for an arms race. Additionally, Turkey is currently constructing a spaceport in Somalia, which is intended to support the regional space ecosystem.
Beyond Turkish initiatives, the industry saw significant financial activity. Nebex partnered with Thrusters Unlimited to structure $700 million in funding for Mexican sovereign space programs. This capital will support Earth observation and telecommunications infrastructure, with Nebex managing the financial flow through its platform.
The sector also saw major corporate developments, including the formation of Equatys by Space42 and Viasat to provide mobile satellite services. These moves follow a series of large funding rounds in Europe, including a €300 million raise by Open Cosmos and a $450 million Series C round by The Exploration Company.
