First Turkish space traveler Gezeravcı: 'This journey is not an end for us'

Turkey's first space traveler, astronaut Alper Gezeravcı, shared his feelings during an online press conference held while he was in quarantine in the US state of Florida.

Gezeravcı stated that the space journey would make a significant contribution to Turkey's space efforts, noting that this journey is merely a tool and a beginning to reach the goals in space studies.

The astronaut mentioned that he has served as both a military and civilian pilot and that he had to limit his dreams about space to the sky he could see with the naked eye. Gezeravcı emphasized that this space journey would open new horizons for future generations and carry Turkey's space research to a more advanced level.

Recalling Turkey's history in space studies, Gezeravcı said that sending a human to space would take Turkish space research to a new stage. Furthermore, addressing the Turkish people, he stated that they are carrying out this mission with the state's strong resolve and the nation's appreciative support.

Explaining that they use state-of-the-art black rings provided by the company Axiom to measure their daily performance data, Gezeravcı noted that these rings will also be used on the International Space Station. He also shared that Spanish trainer Emiliano Ventura has been conducting special athletic training for them and monitoring their performance during this process.

Underlining that Turkey has been involved in space studies for many years with domestic satellite technologies, Gezeravcı used the expressions, "This journey is not an end for us, it is only a tool to reach what we want to achieve on the path of space studies. This is just a beginning."

Emphasizing that sending a human to space will bring Turkish space research to a new stage, Gezeravcı recorded the following in his message delivered in Turkish to the Turkish people:

"I would like to convey this to all our citizens who have the chance to watch this broadcast; I am grateful to everyone who has been instrumental in opening this curtain that has veiled the dreams of our future generations for years with the strong decision of our state, and in paving this path that can carry their dreams to the depths of space. We are carrying out this mission here with the strong decision of our state and the opportunities provided by our appreciative nation. I will be returning as soon as possible, having completed this trust placed in me.

"WE USE THEM TO COLLECT SOME DATA"

Upon a question from an AA reporter regarding the black ring worn on the fingers of Gezeravcı and his Swedish crewmate Marcus Wandt, Gezeravcı said, "We use these state-of-the-art rings to collect some data regarding our daily performance."

Stating that the space company Axiom assigned them Spanish trainer Emiliano Ventura to closely monitor their physical condition in particular, Gezeravcı said, "He has us do advanced athletic training. We will wear these rings at the International Space Station, just as we do here, to measure and compare our personal performance data."

News Source: AA