Turkey's lunar ambition: Hybrid engine tested for 2027 Moon landing

Turkey has officially scheduled the launch of its first national lunar mission for the first few months of 2027. The project centers on the deployment of a domestically developed hybrid rocket propulsion system to transport a spacecraft to Earth's satellite. Mehmet Fatih Kacır, Turkey's Minister of Industry and Technology, stated that preparations for the mission have reached the final stage. The primary technical focus is the hybrid engine, designed to provide the necessary maneuverability and reliability for the lunar transit. Government officials approved the launch schedule following the completion of all key system tests. Alexey Rudnev, astrophysicist: "Developing our own engine is not just a matter of prestige, but technological independence. Hybrid systems combine the safety of solid-fuel engines and the controllability of liquid ones, which is critical for maneuvers near the Moon."