Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said that the Turkish spacecraft will land on the moon in 2023 as part of the national space project. News Reuters. “Our national and original hybrid rocket will make the first rough landing on the moon, which will be launched into orbit towards the end of 2023 with international cooperation,” he said at a ceremony in Ankara on Tuesday.

However, he did not elaborate on international cooperation. Last month, Erdogan spoke with Elon Musk, head of Tesla and SpaceX, about possible cooperation with Turkish companies. Announcing 10 goals for Turkey’s space mission, Erdoয়an said a Turkish citizen would also be sent on a space scientific mission.

Last month, in partnership with SpaceX, Turkey launched the Turkish Satellite FiveA satellite from the United States into Earth orbit. The Turksat FiveB will be launched in two-thirds of this year. Erdogan said Turkey plans to achieve space-based goals within the next 10 years, adding that the country will further develop satellite technology and establish a space port with other allies.

Turkey has previously sent observational and communications satellites into space, setting up satellite system integration and testing centers. The country has also built a domestic HD satellite called IMECE, which is expected to be launched in 2022. Erdogan said, ‘We will have our feet on the ground but our eyes will be in space. Our roots will be on the ground, our stalks will rise in the sky.