Last Hours for Türkiye's First Space Journey
Türkiye's first space traveler Alper Gezeravcı will be going to the International Space Station. The Launch Ceremony, which will take place on January 19, 2024 at 00:49 TSI, can be followed from Istanbul Taksim Square and Ankara Kızılay Square. The planetariums will be opened for members of the press starting at 10:00 on January 17.
As a country that can now develop, produce and test its own satellites, Türkiye's National Space Program aims to send a Turkish citizen into space for the first time with international cooperation in parallel with the Turkish Astronaut and Science Mission, to conduct scientific experiments using the infrastructure of the International Space Station and to increase the prominence of our country in the field of space.
This project, which will strengthen Türkiye’s competencies in the field of space in line with the National Technology Move, received 36 thousand applications for the selection of the first Turkish astronaut. After the selection process, Alper Gezeravcı and reserve astronaut Tuva Cihangir Atasever were introduced to the public.
The launch of Alper Gezeravcı, a Turkish Air Force pilot and Türkiye's first astronaut, is scheduled to take place in Florida, USA, on January 18, 2024 at 01:11 am Turkish time. The vehicle carrying Gezeravcı will dock with the International Space Station on January 19, about 400 km from Earth. The space capsule carrying Alper Gezeravcı, who is expected to stay on the International Space Station for 14 days, is scheduled to land in the ocean at the end of January off the coast of Orlando.
13 scientific experiments in space
Alper Gezeravcı will carry out 13 scientific experiments on the International Space Station (ISS) for 14 days, prepared by universities and research institutions and determined by working groups formed by the Turkish Space Agency (TUA) and TÜBİTAK. One of the experiments titled New Generation Alloys for Space, Microalgal Life Support Units for Space Missions, A Comparative Study of Antarctic and Temperate Microalgae Cultivation under Space Conditions. One of the experiments under the title of Investigation of CRISPR Gene Editing Efficiency in Plants Under Microgravity is called Antibacterial Effect of Propolis (PRANET), prepared by children from Muş Science Center.
It will inspire our young people
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan met with Gezeravcı, who will be sent to the ISS, via video conference during the Cabinet Meeting. "Of course, this mission is very valuable both in terms of its scientific mission and as a source of inspiration for our children and young people." President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said, " Hopefully, this will be a new beginning and we will continue this mission. We will set the bar higher and higher. We wish you and your teammates success. I wish you to complete this mission in good health, may Allah be with you and help you, and may your path be clear."
Minister Kacır's visit to Gezeravcı in quarantine
Minister of Industry and Technology Mehmet Fatih Kacır said: "32 hours before the launch, we visited Alper Gezeravcı in quarantine. Not only him, but also the horizon of our beloved nation which will transcend the boundaries of the sky with this journey. The support and prayers of the Turkish nation will be with Alper Gezeravcı."
We are eagerly waiting for the results of the experiments
Wishing Alper Gezeravcı success in his journey, TÜBA President Prof. Dr. Muzaffer Şeker stated that it is exciting and honorable to witness this history and said that we attach great importance to space travel and we are eagerly awaiting the results of Gezeravcı's experiments in space. Prof. Şeker also expressed his gratitude to all the scientists who contributed in bringing space studies to this stage.
Have a souvenir of Türkiye's first manned space mission! Buy the space travel souvenir ticket and share this pride: https://tua.gov.tr/tr/milli-uzay-programi/uzay-hatirasi
Who is Alper Gezeravci?
He was born on December 2, 1979 in Mersin. Gezeravcı entered Işıklar Military High School in 1993. In 1997, he graduated from the Department of Electronic Engineering at the Turkish Air Force Academy. In 2001, he graduated as a lieutenant. He then completed his master's degree in Operations Research at the US Air Force Institute of Technology in Dayton, Ohio. He then served as an F-16 pilot and standardized squadron academic branch commander in the Air Force Command for 21 years.
Who is Tuva Cihangir Atasever?
Born on August 12, 1992 in Ankara, Türkiye, Tuva Cihangir Atasever graduated from Bilkent University, Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering. He then completed his master's degree in electrical and electronics engineering at the University of California, Irvene. He then worked as an avionics system engineer at ROKETSAN for five years.