Turkey's second astronaut, Tuva Cihangir Atasever, completed the Suborbital Research Flight as part of the Turkish Space Science Mission Project with Virgin Galactic's "VSS Unity" suborbital vehicle. The aircraft took off from the Spaceport facility in New Mexico at 08.30 a.m. local time (17.30 p.m. US time). After saying goodbye to their families, the "Galactic 07" crew, including Atasever, proceeded towards the "VSS Unity" suborbital vehicle accompanied by applause.
Many officials, including Ahmet Yozgatlıgil, Deputy Minister of Industry and Technology, and the team members carrying out the project were among those who saw Atasever off. The team, in which Atasever was a research astronaut, included two private astronauts from the United States and one from Italy. During the flight, which lasted approximately 1 hour and 10 minutes, the "VSS Unity" suborbital vehicle reached an altitude of 45 thousand feet with the carrier aircraft and reached an altitude of approximately 90 kilometers by firing its hybrid fuel rocket engine.
Atasever successfully carried out seven scientific experiments in the free fall phase, which lasted about 3 minutes in a microgravity environment. In his statement after the flight, he said, "Our flight was quite successful. From the perspective of scientific experiments, we fulfilled all our goals." Atasever also pointed to the keffiyeh he carried with him on his space journey and said, "The oppression of the Palestinian people is a situation that the beauty of our world does not deserve. I carried the keffiyeh with me to symbolize this."
Special Springn Gerrealized
Simultaneously with the Suborbital Research Flight, a special broadcast was held at TÜBİTAK Science High School in TÜBİTAK Gebze Campus. The broadcast, moderated by Dr. Sadık Murat Yüksel and Can Bayraktar from TÜBİTAK UZAY Business Development and External Relations Group, was attended by Mehmet Fatih Kacır, Minister of Industry and Technology; Prof. Dr. Hasan Mandal, President of TÜBİTAK; Yusuf Kıraç, President of Turkish Space Agency; and Alper Gezeravcı, Turkey's first astronaut. The broadcast was watched live on TUBITAK's YouTube channel and various science centers in Turkey.
We watched this exciting journey with great enthusiasm with our friends at Spaceport America, who closely followed the process, and at TÜBİTAK UZAY. Our Project Team at Spaceport America meticulously monitored the pre-flight preparations. While the teams in both locations experienced moments of excitement and pride for the successful flight of our astronaut Tuva Cihangir Atasever, they expressed that they deeply felt the pride and happiness of being a part of this historical moment.
"Tuva Cihangir Atasever to Contribute to the Process with 7 Scientific Experiments"
Minister of Industry and Technology Mehmet Fatih Kacır, evaluating the seven scientific experiments carried out in space by Turkey's second astronaut Tuva Cihangir Atasever, said: "We will watch and realize many missions together. Atasever conducted important experiments on human biology and physiology. These experiments will examine the effects of space conditions on the human body. In addition, projects such as the use of radiation dosimetry in space and the study of blood circulation in the brain were also carried out."
Mr. Kacır pointed out that Turkey is a country that develops satellite systems and emphasized that space research represents a large economy. Speaking about Turkey's success in satellite development activities, he said that the domestic and national satellites İMECE and TÜRKSAT 6A are a big part of this success.
President of TÜBİTAK Prof. Dr. Hasan Mandal: "Türkiye's Space Journey Continues"
TUBITAK President Prof. Dr. Hasan Mandal touched upon the importance of Turkey's space journey and said that young people have a great role to play. Mandal stated that space travel has enabled Turkey to have a say in the field of technology.
Stating that they have been experiencing firsts in the field of space since last year, from the İMECE satellite to Alper Gezeravcı's first manned space mission, Mandal reminded that they sent TÜRKSAT 6A to the USA on June 4 for launch into space and that the launch will take place on the week of July 8.
Türkiye's First Astronaut Alper Gezeravcı was at TÜBİTAK Science High School
Turkey's first astronaut Alper Gezeravcı met with students at TÜBİTAK Science High School before the special broadcast and answered questions. During the suborbital flight special broadcast, he shared his experiences within the scope of his mission.
7 Scientific Experiments Realized
Atasever collected important data in a microgravity environment with seven scientific experiments conducted during the flight. These experiments included projects such as BEACON brain imaging, IvmeRad radiation dosimetry and insulin pen testing in space. In addition, the analysis of extracellular vesicles and the continuation of other scientific experiments included in Gezeravci's mission were carried out.
