Turkey's space age has begun. The first astronaut Alper Gezeravcı went on a 14-day space journey tonight. The launch, which took place at 19 on Thursday, January 00.49, was made from the US state of Florida. Thus, Turkey achieved the goal of the first manned space mission of the National Space Program, which it announced in 2021. For this historical night, an important organization was organized at Gökmen Space Aviation and Training Center, which was implemented in cooperation with BTSO, Bursa Metropolitan Municipality and TÜBİTAK. While a special digital giant screen was installed at GUHEM for the launch day, special video screenings and events were held throughout the day. Volunteers who are curious about space and aviation took their places at the center hours before the historic launch. In addition to BTSO Chairman İbrahim Burkay, Minister of Justice Yılmaz Tunç, Bursa Governor Mahmut Demirtaş and Bursa Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Alinur Aktaş also followed the launch moment with the young people. More than 2 million people watched the live broadcast organized at GUHEM with the support of science platforms.
At night, when the excitement reached its peak as the launch hours approached, Bursa protocol and young people counted down together. Within the scope of the program, the photo of the first Turkish Astronaut Alper Gezeravcı was also hung on the legends wall in GUHEM by Minister of Justice Yılmaz Tunç, BTSO President İbrahim Burkay, Bursa Governor Mahmut Demirtaş and Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Alinur Aktaş.
"WE TRUST OUR YOUNG PEOPLE"
BTSO Chairman of the Board of Directors İbrahim Burkay wished Turkey's first astronaut Alper Gezeravcı to fulfill his mission successfully. Stating that they set out with a dream as BTSO in 2013 and that they implemented GUHEM, one of Turkey's vision projects, together with the Ministry of Industry and Technology and Bursa Metropolitan Municipality, Mayor Burkay said, “Despite the late hour of the night, our youth and families are here. In a sense, this actually shows the curiosity of our future generations towards science and technology. Hopefully, with the inspiration they will receive from our country's first space journey and GUHEM, many scientists and astronauts will emerge among our young people here. We find this mission put forward by our President on the 100th anniversary of the Republic of Turkey very valuable.” said.
“IT WILL BE A SOURCE OF MOTIVATION FOR FUTURE SPACE WORKS”
İbrahim Burkay said that space aviation has a large share in the economy in the developed countries of the world. Stating that this field is indispensable for Turkey, which aims to be among the 10 largest economies in the world, President Burkay said, “Our country's first manned space mission will be an important milestone in this sense and a serious source of motivation for future space studies. Alper Gezeravcı, who will stay in space for 14 days, will conduct 13 different experiments. Each of these experiments will shed light on many studies carried out in our country. We are a hard-working nation. This is the first step, but we believe there will be more to come. “We trust our young people.” said.
“WE ARE ONE HEART AS A NATION”
Bursa Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Alinur Aktaş said that, as a nation, they sent Turkey's first space traveler Alper Gezeravcı to the International Space Station. Aktaş said, “I am experiencing one of the most important moments in my life. We experienced the excitement of this historical moment in GUHEM with our Minister of Justice, Mr. Yılmaz Tunç, and our fellow citizens. We would like to thank our BTSO President for hosting us. The future of our country is very good. Today, our brother Alper broke new ground. I wish success to Alper Gezeravcı, who will fly our glorious flag at Uzay Vatan. This pride, this success belongs to all of us. We believe that there will be more to come.” said.
“WE ARE GREATLY PROUD”
Bursa Governor Mahmut Demirtaş emphasized that they feel great pride as a country. Stating that President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has made great contributions in Turkey reaching this point, Governor Demirtaş said, “We express our gratitude to our ministers, especially our President, and our nation. We need to trust ourselves. We have achieved something great. If God permits, our first Astronaut will join us again in 14 days and tell us about his experiences there. I wholeheartedly believe that our country will do better things from now on.” he said.
“Türkiye'S CENTURY WILL ALSO BE THE CENTURY OF SCIENCE”
Minister of Justice Yılmaz Tunç said that they watched the space journey of Turkey's first astronaut Alper Gezeravcı with young people at GUHEM at the beginning of the Turkish Century. Stating that it was a great moment for Turkey, Minister Tunç said, “We will never forget this day. We all see together how Turkey is now progressing in science, space technology, industry and other fields. I hope the Turkish Century will also be the century of science. “This century will rise on the shoulders of our children and youth.” said. Stating that GUHEM is a very important work in the scientific journey of Bursa and Turkey, Tunç stated that he came to GUHEM for the first time and that he was proud, and thanked everyone who contributed to bringing this place to Turkey.