Aeronautics and Space Technologies Institute (ASTIN) was founded on August 17th, 2001 and initially in ASTIN graduate programs in Aeronautics, Electronics, Computer, and Industrial Engineering subjects were offered. Regarding the requirements of Air Forces, so as not to be left behind in the space race, Aerospace program was initiated in the 2003-2004 academic year. Therefore the graduate program which offered 4 Master of Science (M.S.) programs at the start now continues with 5 programs. In addition, Philosophy of Doctorate (Ph.D.) program in 4 programs are being offered. 

Aeronautics and Space Technologies Institute (ASTIN) aspires to become in its field of specialization a prominent organization in Turkey, to earn an esteemed position among the graduate level academic organizations of the world, and provide the Air Force with required information and technology. ASTIN aims to provide graduate students with the knowledge and skills in technology management, gaining new technologies, effective and economic use of resources for their future assignments.  

The mission objective for the Aeronautics and Space Technologies Institute, along the direction mandated by the requirements and plans of the Turkish Armed Forces and its inseparable component Air Forces, is to assist in training personnel that are adaptable to the requirements of the rapidly developing science and technologies, able to bring forth universal knowledge, modern, scientific, employing information creatively, able to both guard the national benefits and have a secular and democratic conscience. 

In addition to the military academic staff, distinguished academics of the universities in Istanbul lecture in the needed fields in ASTIN, in accordance with the agreements made with universities. It is aimed to offer new programs to increase the variety of graduate programs by the help of assignments of distinguished academics of the co-operative universities.  

ASTIN is in close academic relations with the Turkish Universities, and the opening term students were sent to Virginia Polytechnic (VT) for continuing their graduate education in the 2003-2004 academic year following the educational agreements made with VT and Old Dominion universities (ODU) in USA, in order to earn ASTIN a place in its field of specialization among the prized universities of the world. This program plans to support scholar and student exchange and provide the students with diplomas co-signed by both organizations.  

ASTIN accepted 8 civilian students to the graduate program in the 2003-2004 academic year. Thus, offering its facilities and educational capacity in the service of the graduates of other universities other than personnel of Turkish Armed Forces. So civilian-military interaction in science and technology commenced.