Astrophysicist Umut Yıldız has left NASA

In the post where he announced that he would be returning to Turkey after 21 years following his departure, Yıldız stated, "I never thought I would tweet about leaving NASA one day, but that day has come," and added the following:

"I consider myself a space enthusiast, practically born and raised, and my mind has always been focused on space. For years, I have tried to do things for space and have taken part in many projects.

The last 10 years of this were spent at NASA/JPL in the fields of both astrophysics and deep space communications. I met amazing people who contributed a lot to me, and I found the opportunity to improve myself and my surroundings.

I am now leaving NASA to utilize these experiences in Turkey and to experience Turkey's space breakthrough together. Although returning to my country, which I left after finishing university, 21 years later might seem like a big decision, I had actually never left.

To further increase space awareness in my country, I had the opportunity to correspond and speak one-on-one with hundreds of thousands of students, either by constantly traveling back and forth or by giving hundreds of online e-conferences. Thousands of students, to whom I contributed even a little, were motivated and turned toward scientific or technical fields. I want to do even more.

There is so much work to be done in my country regarding space and science. With the hope of doing it all together, here is to brand new beginnings..."