President and AKP Chairman Recep Tayyip Erdoğan spoke with the first Turkish astronaut Alper Gezeravcı from the Space Station

The first Turkish astronaut Alper Gezeravcı will communicate with Turkey at least 7 times during his mission at the International Space Station as part of the "First Manned Space Mission," the first leg of the National Space Program. In this context, the first connection was made with President and AKP Chairman Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

Speaking to Erdoğan, Gezeravcı said, "I have started my experiments within the planned schedule. Throughout my mission here, I will complete all these experiments and record the results to bring them back to our country. I have adapted to the environment at the ISS very quickly. I am continuing my work as planned."

"YOU WERE THE MOST SUITABLE CANDIDATE"

Erdoğan replied to Gezeravcı, saying, "As a pilot trained by our Turkish Air Force, you were the most suitable candidate for this mission. However, this time you have gone far beyond the altitude you reached as a pilot. You have experienced a challenging journey."

To Erdoğan's question, "You are in a zero-gravity environment approximately 400 kilometers away from Earth. How is this situation affecting you?" Gezeravcı replied as follows:

"The most important difference that separates the environment at the ISS from Earth is that gravity is at a micro level. We began to feel some distinct changes in our bodies from the very first moment we went into space. For example, the blood that should normally be distributed throughout our entire body here is accumulating towards the upper parts of my body. Vision impairments can occur due to pressure changes. Thank God, I have had no signs of these so far. I am following special exercise programs. Scientists are trying to understand the effects and many more, and to develop precautions."