**Part 1**

**Space Exploration** 

**1** 

*Turkey* 

**How Newcomers Will** 

Ugur Murat Leloglu and Barş Gençay *TUBITAK Space Technologies Research Institute* 

**Participate in Space Exploration** 

Space Exploration, one of the hardest achieved successes of mankind, is defined as all activities geared towards exploration of outer space using either space technology or observations from Earth, though sometimes the latter is not considered as part of space exploration (Logsdon; 2008). In this chapter, we will exclude observations from the Earth or the low Earth orbit (LEO) and scientific LEO missions that explore plasma sphere, which deserve dedicated study, especially because the opportunities cubesats offer to newcomers who want to contribute to space science (Woellert et al., 2010). While exploring our planet from its core to the surface and beyond, space studies has provided good leverage for science, technology and spin-off applications. Since the beginning of the space age, whose onset is generally accepted as the year 1957 when Sputnik-1 was launched, our knowledge about outer space has increased at an accelerating pace, an achievement made possible by developments in space technology. Mankind has succeeded to send satellites, landers, and rovers to other planets and their satellites, built an orbiting space station, analysed samples of other planets' soil, atmosphere and magnetosphere, performed regular launches to various earth orbits, planned regular

The Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies, otherwise known as the Outer Space Treaty in short, defines basic principles for use of space. Although the Outer Space Treaty states that "The exploration and use of outer space, including the Moon and other celestial bodies, shall be carried out for the benefit and in the interests of all countries" and has been signed by the majority of the world's nations, as shown in Figure 1, until recently space exploration has actually been a privilege for only the few developed countries who

Nevertheless, the number of countries who have initiated space programmes to benefit from space is increasing. Several large countries, like India and China, were early to establish their space programs and have been followed by many others. Although the initial steps are generally small and focus on immediate needs, the programmes eventually involve more scientific content; enabling new nations begin to contribute to the exploration of space, a

touristic rides to space and even sent men to the Moon.

could actually 'touch' the space.

**1. Introduction** 
