Minister of Industry and Technology Mehmet Fatih Kacır said that as the heirs of a civilization that broke new ground in many fields from astronomy to mathematics, from medicine to geometry, they established the Turkish Space Agency (TUA) 5 years ago today in order to act with a more comprehensive and systematic approach in space studies.
Stating that they said “we are also in space” in the Turkish Century and that they are rapidly progressing towards becoming one of the few countries in the world in the development of space science and technologies, Kacır said that now is the day for the “Turkish Astronaut and Science Mission” target, which is one of the most important components of the National Space Program. He stated what he said.
Kacır underlined that for the first time, a Turk will be sent to space very soon to carry out scientific experiments on the International Space Station.
Minister Kacır reminded that the names of the first space travelers Alper Gezeravcı and Tuva Cihangir Atasever, who were selected among 36 thousand candidates at the end of the detailed selection process of TUA, TÜBİTAK UZAY and Axiom Space experts, were announced by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan at Istanbul TEKNOFEST on April 29.
Kacır gave the following information about the latest developments regarding the space mission:
“This mission is of critical importance in terms of showing Turkey’s scientific and technological potential. 13 different scientific experiments prepared by our country’s valuable scientists and research institutions will be carried out in space. This mission, which is an important milestone for our space history, will also shed light on space science. “Our space passenger Alper Gezeravcı has completed his final preparations. He will soon depart for the International Space Station to perform the first manned space mission in the history of the Republic. Our first astronaut will soon enter the quarantine period for this flight.”
“The Moon vehicle, developed with domestic resources, will be sent in 2026”
Regarding the ongoing Moon mission, Minister Kacır said that they revealed their future vision for space with the establishment of TUA and the announcement of the National Space Program.
Stating that they are working to create the corporate structure that will realize this vision, Kacır said, “With the knowledge we have gained from space history, we continue to develop the hybrid propulsion system, flight computer and many domestic satellite equipment for the first deep space mission ‘Lunar Research Program’. It will be used in the exploration of the moon from orbit and will be brought to the lunar surface.” “Our spacecraft, which will make a hard landing, is being developed with national resources and many domestic subsystems. Within the scope of the mission, the preliminary design (system level design) phase of the spacecraft has been completed. Detailed design (equipment/module/component development) phase activities are continuing.” he said.
Domestic satellite and subsystem studies
Kacır said that it continues to become more competent day by day with its space and rocket test centers, space systems, design and test laboratories, satellite communication and remote sensing research centers, ground control stations, optical systems research and application infrastructures.
Emphasizing that Turkey is one of the 10 countries that can produce communication satellites, Kacır said:
“We are an international player that provides assembly, integration and testing services in the field of space systems. Our first domestic communication satellite, Türksat 6A, which will meet the sky in the second quarter of 2024, is one of the most important indicators of this. We are the most important for the ‘Development of the Space Ecosystem’ target in the National Space Program.” One of the important steps is to increase our exports in this field. Our negotiations with various countries regarding the supply of satellites and satellite subsystems are continuing. I believe that we will soon witness new collaborations with our private sector that will increase our exports in this field. In the coming years, Turkish companies will use many commercial satellites, both at low altitude and “We will be able to see it at high altitude. In the second century of our Republic, which was founded with the ideal of ‘complete independence’, in the Turkey Century, we are taking firm steps from the roots to the skies.”
