Alper Gezeravci, Türkiye’s first would-be space traveler, spoke about his mission during the TEKNOFEST technology and aerospace event. He shared that his upcoming 14-day mission to low-Earth orbit will include scientific experiments, highlighting that his journey is a milestone everyone in Türkiye can be proud of.
Gezeravci, a pilot in the Turkish Air Force, began his training in the US in 2023, which continues with additional training in Japan and Germany. The Turkish Space Agency plans to launch him into space, aiming for the end of 2023. Reflecting on his journey, he said, “My limit of dreams was the sky… Now, the path to space is open for future generations to carry out their dreams.”
Along with Gezeravci, Tuva Cihangir Atasever, a system engineer at Roketsan, was selected as a reserve astronaut. Atasever, who specializes in space launch systems, shared his excitement about the selection, saying the mission was beyond his original imagination.
The Turkish Space Agency was established in 2018, and the country’s space program was announced in 2019, along with plans for a crewed space mission. Gezeravci and Atasever were selected as Türkiye’s first astronauts during the 2023 TEKNOFEST in Istanbul.
After attending the event, both Gezeravci and Atasever are returning to Houston, USA, to continue their intensive training for their upcoming missions. Atasever also advised young people to pursue their dreams with dedication and set clear goals for their future careers.
