Alper Gezeravcı

Alper Gezeravcı, born on 2 December 1979 in the Silifke district of Mersin, is a pilot and engineer with a deep passion for the skies. By becoming Türkiye’s first astronaut, he has etched his name into history in golden letters and successfully completed the country’s first crewed space mission.

Alper Gezeravcı grew up in the warm and heartfelt atmosphere of the Mediterranean. From childhood, he held great admiration for airplanes and pilots. His father, who taught in Silifke, instilled in him discipline and curiosity. His family always supported his passion for the sky. Even as a young child, he dreamed of flying one day and took great joy in watching the stars and aircraft above.

To realize his dream of flying, he pursued a military education. He graduated from the Istanbul Air Force Academy as an Electronics Engineer. Later, he earned a master’s degree in Operations Research at the Air Force Institute of Technology in the United States, further expanding his knowledge. For many years, he served as an F-16 combat pilot in the Turkish Air Force, accumulating thousands of flight hours. He also worked as a captain pilot for Turkish Airlines. These experiences were the most important steps in preparing him for the demanding space mission.

^{Alper Gezeravcı uzaydayken. (Yapay zeka ile oluşturulmuştur)}

In 2023, he was selected as one of the first two astronaut candidates under Türkiye’s National Space Program. After long and rigorous training, a historic moment occurred on 18 January 2024 (night of 19 January, Türkiye time). He launched aboard the Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon capsule from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, bound for the International Space Station (ISS). As the launch took place, the entire nation held its breath. Knowing that all of Türkiye was watching the launch with excitement deeply moved Alper Gezeravcı.

During his time at the International Space Station, he remained active. He conducted thirteen different scientific experiments prepared by Turkish scientists, covering fields ranging from cancer research to plant genetics. These experiments made a significant contribution to Türkiye’s efforts in space science. He also connected with students from all across Türkiye, sharing his space experiences and inspiring them to pursue their dreams. Alper Gezeravcı believes this journey is only the beginning and that the real story will be written by the younger generation.

^{Alper Gezeravcı görevi sonrası uzay hakkında eğitim verirken. (Yapay zeka ile oluşturulmuştur)}

For him, space travel is a testament to how far Türkiye has advanced in science and technology. He urges young people never to give up on their dreams. The strongest emotion he felt while carrying out this historic mission was immense pride and responsibility toward his country. As the first Turk in space, he believes he has paved the way for future generations to follow.

Alper Gezeravcı is an extremely disciplined, determined, and meticulous researcher. His experience as an F-16 pilot and captain pilot taught him to remain calm and make swift decisions even under the most extreme and stressful conditions. He completed physically and mentally demanding space training with unwavering determination. He is always open to learning more and exploring new frontiers.

Alper Gezeravcı’s space journey marked a major turning point for Türkiye. His success has become a powerful source of motivation for Turkish youth and children to develop an interest in space science and pursue their dreams. Alper Gezeravcı is no longer just an astronaut—he is Türkiye’s first face in space and a source of inspiration.