First Turkish astronaut Alper Gezeravcı's first words on the International Space Station! 'To Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and his comrades-in-arms...'

The first Turkish astronaut Alper Gezeravcı gave an emotional speech at the welcome ceremony held on the International Space Station (ISS) for the Axiom-3 (Ax-3) crew.

Speaking at the welcome ceremony, which was broadcast live by Axiom Space, Gezeravcı said:

"Thank you very much. First of all, I would like to thank you for the kind hospitality you have shown to the seven-person exploration team. They were actually waiting for us at the door. This was a very beautiful and kind welcome for us. I would like to thank everyone for the great effort they put in during the last 8 months of training to get us here, and all our colleagues who contributed to our safe travel to the ISS."

Stating that they are happy to have taken a first step in Turkey's history, Gezeravcı said, "And we are looking forward to contributing to the science and research work here."

Furthermore, Gezeravcı spoke in Turkish, saying: "I express my gratitude to Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and his comrades-in-arms who founded the Republic of Turkey and entrusted it to us, to all our martyrs who gave their lives for this homeland, and to our state and nation for their strong will that enabled us to step here. The future is in the skies."

During the welcome, the International Astronaut Symbolism Badge was presented to the crew.

The vehicle carrying the Ax-3 crew had successfully docked with the ISS at 13:42 TSI after a space journey lasting approximately 36 hours.

News Source : AA