Türkiye integrates defense infrastructure into space efforts

Türkiye’s first astronaut, Brigadier General Alper Gezeravcı, said the country is taking significant steps to integrate the infrastructure it has developed in the defense and aviation sectors into its space activities.

Gezeravcı spoke to Anadolu Agency in Antalya, where he is attending the 77th International Astronautical Congress (IAC), organized by the International Astronautical Federation under the coordination of Türkiye’s Ministry of Industry and Technology and hosted by the Turkish Space Agency (TUA) and SAHA Istanbul, with Anadolu Agency serving as the Global Communication Partner, CE Report quotes Anadolu Agency.

Gezeravcı said Türkiye was hosting the International Astronautical Congress for the first time in the history of the Republic, following a year of intensive preparations.

He said the congress brings together decision-makers in the space sector, representatives of space organizations and institutions operating in the civilian space industry.

Gezeravcı stressed that space should not be viewed as a field in which a single individual or country operates independently.

He noted that cooperation in space has continued even during periods of intense competition between countries.

“Today, nearly 30 countries are actively participating and continuing their cooperation in activities aimed at the peaceful use of space. Türkiye, particularly by building on the infrastructure it has developed in defense and aviation over the past 20 years, continues to take very important steps to integrate this capacity into space as part of our National Space Program,” Gezeravcı said.

He said Türkiye continues to strengthen its position within the global space ecosystem, adding that one of the main benefits of hosting the congress is bringing that ecosystem to Türkiye and showcasing the country’s capabilities in the space sector to the world.

Gezeravcı said concrete steps have been taken with state support since the National Space Program was announced in 2021.

“What is important is to give different players with whom we can cooperate and integrate our infrastructure the opportunity to become aware of our potential,” he said.

13 experiments conducted in space

Gezeravcı also discussed the Turkish Astronaut and Science Mission, under which 13 scientific experiments were conducted in space.

He said one part of the mission involved his responsibilities as an astronaut, while another focused on carrying out scientific experiments developed in Türkiye.

“Just as an astronaut selection process was established, our state also created a process for selecting experiments. Through TÜBİTAK UZAY, a call was issued to all of our universities and research institutions. We received 48 experiment proposals from 37 universities and research institutions,” Gezeravcı said.

Thirteen proposals were ultimately selected, covering areas including human health, materials science, microbiology and other fields related to space research.

“The selected experiments were carried out in the space environment, and all of their results were brought back to Earth,” he added.

Photo: Instagram/ astroalper