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ASELSAN chief executive Ahmet Akyol presented plans for a 198-satellite communications network during a panel at the IAC 2026 space congress in Antalya, Turkey. He said the low Earth orbit project, ASTRALINK, began late last year and is intended to serve Turkey and allied countries.

Akyol said the company aims to launch its first satellite within two years. The constellation would connect with ASELSAN’s terrestrial networks to provide secure, uninterrupted communications. He said the system would use company-developed waveforms, domestically developed chips and subsystems produced with local partners, drawing on an existing base of more than one million user terminals.

Turkish Space Agency board member Arif Karabeyoglu emphasized the importance of independent launch capabilities for emerging space powers. He said Turkey is building a spaceport in Somalia for its own launch vehicles and intends to make it available internationally. He cited its proximity to the equator, favorable weather and range safety as advantages.

Axiom Space chief astronaut and International Astronautical Federation vice president Michael Lopez-Alegria said the company plans to launch its first space station module in 2028. Its goal is to complete a commercial station before the International Space Station is deorbited. He also stressed experience, integrity and adaptability when selecting commercial space partners.

Key Takeaways

• ASTRALINK is planned as a 198-satellite network serving Turkey and allied countries.
• ASELSAN aims to launch the constellation’s first satellite within two years.
• Axiom Space plans to launch its first space station module in 2028.