After an unexpected extension in space due to stormy weather near Florida, Alper Gezeravcı, Turkey’s first astronaut, along with the first all-European private astronaut mission, departed from the International Space Station (ISS) on Feb. 7, embarking on their two-day journey back to Earth.
Originally scheduled to return on Feb. 3, the crew faced delays as SpaceX decided to prolong their stay in space due to unfavorable weather conditions in the recovery zone off Florida.
Following their landing, Alper Gezeravcı will undergo health checks at a NASA center before returning to Turkey in approximately a week. Upon his return, he plans to visit schools and universities to share the results of the 13 experiments he conducted during his two-week mission aboard the ISS with students and academics.
A Scientific Milestone for Turkey
Alper Gezeravci has been conducting scientific experiments in a microgravity environment aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Theseexperiments are part of a larger effort by the Turkish Space Agency to expand the country’s presence in space. It is noteworthy that the agency was established just a few years ago, in 2018, and has already made significant strides in the field.
In addition to sending Gezeravci to the ISS, the agency has launched several satellites and signed agreements with other countries to cooperate on space projects. His mission is not just a symbolic achievement for Turkey, but also a scientific one. Microgravity environments like the one aboard the ISS can provide valuable insights into a range of fields, from materials science to biology.
Also read: Japan Becomes World’s Fifth Country To Accomplish Soft Lunar Landing On The Moon
By conducting experiments in space, Gezeravci and other researchers can learn more about how physical processes behave in the absence of Earth’s gravity.With more missions planned for the future, it’s clear that the country is just getting started in its journey to the stars.
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