Turkey prepares to send its first astronaut to space

Turkey's space journey gained momentum with the establishment of the Turkish Space Agency (TUA) on December 13, 2018. The duties of the TUA included preparing and implementing the National Space Program and ensuring coordination between collaborations.

On February 9, 2021, Turkey's National Space Program was announced. Among the 10 goals determined in the program is sending a Turkish citizen to space.

The fact that the first Turkish astronaut, Alper Gezeravcı, is to be sent to space is also interpreted as a validation of the success of said program. The launch from Florida will take place at 01:11 AM on the night connecting January 17 to January 18, Turkey time, and the docking with the International Space Station (ISS) will occur at 1:15 PM on January 19. With this step, Turkey's space goals will gain a new dimension.

FOCUSING ON NEW GOALS

Turkey will continue to implement the goals in the program in the coming period. In this context, it is planned to send Tuva Cihangir Atasever, who was selected as the second space traveler, to space in April.

Work is also ongoing for the goal of achieving the first contact with the Moon, which is included in the program. Furthermore, it is aimed to create a commercial brand that can compete with the world in the field of new-generation satellite development. Developing a regional positioning and timing system belonging to the country, ensuring access to space and establishing a spaceport operation, investing in the field referred to as space weather or meteorology, and increasing competence in this field are among the main goals.

Taking Turkey to a more advanced level in astronomical observations and ground-based tracking of space objects, further developing the space industry economic system in the country, and establishing a space technology development zone are also among the topics in the program. Thus, Turkey is moving with firm steps toward its goal of getting a share of the space economy, which has reached 600 billion dollars and is projected to rapidly rise to 1 trillion dollars.

The steps taken since the announcement of the National Space Program are as follows in headlines:

February 2021

The National Space Program was announced.

July 2021

Information was included in the TUA's 2021 corporate financial status and expectations report that a preliminary call would be issued regarding experiments to be conducted on the ISS.

October 2021

The TUA published its Strategic Plan, which includes the basic principles and policies, medium and long-term goals, performance criteria, strategies to be followed to achieve these, and resource distributions for the 2022-2026 period. Within the scope of the plan, responsibilities, performance indicators, risks, strategies, costs, and needs were determined in line with 4 strategic goals and 13 targets.

The TUA's official membership to the International Astronautical Federation, the largest space organization with over 407 members from 71 countries, was registered.

A Memorandum of Cooperation in the Field of Space Activities for Peaceful Purposes was signed between the TUA and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency.

April 2022

The TUA and TÜBİTAK UZAY, which are working within the scope of the National Space Program, were given the task of executing the Turkish Astronaut and Science Mission.

May 2022

The "Turkish Space Traveler and Science Mission" task began. It was reported that 2 Turkish citizens would be selected for this mission, and information regarding the Turkish astronaut application was published on the TUA's website.

June 2022

The "Science Mission Call Document" was prepared by TÜBİTAK Space to determine the experiments to be carried out on the ISS. Nearly 50 experiment proposals were received. The responses to the call were evaluated by a commission consisting of TUA and TÜBİTAK UZAY experts.

September 2022

36 thousand candidates applied for the Turkish astronaut selection within the scope of the mission. 30 of the candidates who applied were called to Ankara. In addition to the activities they demonstrated in the fields of engineering, physics, medicine, and astronomy, the sports they practiced were also decisive in the selection of the candidates. Candidates who met the necessary requirements underwent medical and psychological tests in Ankara.

A collaboration was established with Axiom Space for the training and flight services of the "space traveler" who will carry out Turkey's first manned space mission.

April 2023

It was announced at TEKNOFEST, the world's largest aviation, space, and technology festival held at Atatürk Airport, that Alper Gezeravcı and Tuva Cihangir Atasever were determined as Turkey's first space travelers.

May 2023

The TUA shared the information that Alper Gezeravcı would conduct 13 different experiments prepared by universities and research institutions during the 14 days he stays on the ISS. In this context, the space travelers began receiving the necessary training in the USA.

September 2023

Axiom Space introduced the 4-person crew for the "Ax-3" mission it will send to the ISS. The people who will serve with Gezeravcı on the Ax-3 flight were determined as mission leader Michael Lopez-Alegria representing the USA and Spain, Pilot Walter Villadei from the Italian Air Force, and Swedish Marcus Wandt participating on behalf of the European Space Agency.

November 2023

The mission patch of the astronauts who will go to the ISS within the scope of the Ax-3 mission was introduced. The patch was designed in the shape of a shield to show strength and courage.

December 2023

Gezeravcı shared the following information regarding the space patch he will carry on his space mission:

"In the most striking part of the patch, our flag is located in a circular form. Just above it, you see the number 100, symbolizing the 100th anniversary of our Republic. There are 16 stars around it. These are the stars symbolizing the 16 Turkish states that are the source of pride in our glorious history. On the world map just below the stars, you see our country in the universally accepted Turquoise color. There is an 8-pointed Seljuk star that has meanings. We have ensured the integrity of our patch with the 8-pointed star, which symbolizes the connection transition between the earth and the sky and also represents the basic principles of Islam."

January 2024

The 14-day quarantine process for Turkey's first space traveler Alper Gezeravcı began before his space mission.

The Dragon capsule, which will set out to carry Gezeravcı to the ISS, reached the hangar of launch pad number 39A in Florida.