posted 08-28-2019 08:32 AM               

"We have a joint offer for you - to send a Turkish astronaut to the orbit to celebrate the republic's anniversary. The Cosmonaut Training Center is ready to work on this," Rogozin said.

Erdogan has agreed to the offer. "We will joint your sacred job, let's put it like this. Once again, I would like to thank you on behalf on the whole nation. Thank you for the work you have done."

In May 2018, Turkey announced its plans to launch a national astronaut training program starting 2023. Ankara aims to spend about $6 bln on the implementation of the project. The legal framework for the project was established back in the fall of 2016.

The 100th anniversary of the Republic of Turkey will be celebrated on October 29, 2023.

posted 09-19-2022 08:19 AM               

Axiom Space Signs Historic Agreement with Türkiye to Send First Turkish Astronaut to Space

Commercial space leader Axiom Space and the government of Türkiye have signed a historic agreement to send the first Turkish astronaut to space. As part of a larger effort by Türkiye to expand its space exploration capabilities and establish a national human space program, a Turkish astronaut will be trained by Axiom Space for a future space research mission. Axiom Space will also enable Turkish science and research to be conducted in microgravity.

Axiom Space, a U.S. based commercial space company, currently building the world's first commercial space station, is working with the TÜBİTAK Space Technologies Research Institute (TÜBİTAK UZAY) , under the direction of the Turkish Space Agency, Türkiye Uzay Ajansı (TUA) to enable this effort. The spaceflight agreement was officially signed at the International Astronautical Congress (IAC) in Paris, on 19 September 2022, with Axiom Space CEO Michael Suffredini, Deputy Minister of Industry and Technology of the Republic of Turkey Mehmet Fatih Kacır, TUA President and Chairman of the Board Serdar Hüseyin Yıldırım, TÜBITAK UZAY Director Dr. Mesut Gökten, and other dignitaries.

"As the 100-year anniversary of Türkiye approaches, we will celebrate this important milestone by working to send the first Turkish astronaut to space," said Dr. Mesut Gökten. "This mission is a part of Türkiye's ambitious 10-year space road map, which includes missions to the low-Earth orbit and the Moon as well as developing internationally viable satellite systems." said Serdar Hüseyin Yıldırım.

The astronaut selection process is being managed by TÜBITAK UZAY with support of Axiom Space, under the direction of the Turkish Space Agency on behalf of the Turkish government. Türkiye is evaluating scientific experiments via an open solicitation for on-orbit research. Further discussion between Türkiye and Axiom Space is underway to finalize the timeline for the mission.

"Exploration is part of the human DNA and with this agreement between Axiom Space and the nation of Türkiye, we will train and fly the first Turkish astronaut and strengthen our commitment to use commercial space as a driver to expand the international community of space explorers," said Michael Suffredini, Axiom Space's President & CEO. "We are excited about Türkiye's role as a partner in commercial space and look further to deepening this relationship as we work together to expand scientific and technological development on Earth and in orbit."

Axiom Space is the commercial space industry's only full-service orbital mission provider, conducting end-to-end crewed missions. Axiom's broad range of services include training and flying private astronauts, access to training facilitates and instructors, hardware and safety certification, and operational on-orbit management. Candidates for flight complete Axiom's rigorous training curriculum over many months in preparation to live and conduct meaningful work in space. The expert team at Axiom Space is helping nations and organizations build human spaceflight programs, develop astronaut selection programs, and provide the expertise needed to expand the international community of space explorers to a larger and more diverse representation of humanity.

This partnership is the latest agreement between Axiom Space and a sovereign nation that will expand international human spaceflight capabilities. Previous signatories include Italy, Hungary, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

posted 04-29-2023 09:13 PM               

Air force pilot Alper Gezeravci, 43, was selected to be the first Turkish citizen in space. His backup is Tuva Cihangir Atasever, 30, an aviation systems engineer at Turkish defense contractor Roketsan.

Above: In this photo released by the Turkish Presidency, Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, right, holds a Turkish flag with Turkish air force pilot Alper Gezeravci at Teknofest military fair in Istanbul, Turkey, Saturday, April 29, 2023. (Turkish Presidency)

"Our friend, who will go on Turkey's first manned space mission, will stay on the International Space Station for 14 days," Erdogan said. "Our astronaut will perform 13 different experiments prepared by our country's esteemed universities and research institutions during this mission."

Erdogan described Gezeravci as a "heroic Turkish pilot who has achieved significant success in our Air Force Command."

The Turkish Space Agency website describes Gezeravci as a 21-year air force veteran and F-16 pilot who attended the U.S. Air Force Institute of Technology.

Above: In this photo released by the Turkish Presidency, Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, centre, holds up the hands of Turkish air force pilot Alper Gezeravci, left, and aviation systems engineer Tuva Cihangir Atasever at Teknofest military fair, in Istanbul, Turkey, Saturday, April 29, 2023. (Turkish Presidency)