Türkiye's First Human Space Mission

Space has become one of the greatest frontiers of human history. Countries are increasingly directing their efforts toward space research, enhancing their scientific and technological capacities and undertaking various projects in this field. The Republic of Türkiye has taken significant steps in space research, contributing to global space initiatives with its scientists and engineers. For instance, world-renowned astrophysicist Dilhan Eryurt made critical radiation calculations for the Moon landing mission, providing vital contributions to NASA and earning the 1969 Apollo Achievement Award for this work. These efforts, along with those of dozens of other Turkish scientists, demonstrate the deep-rooted nature of Türkiye’s accumulated expertise in this domain.

Under the National Space Program, developed in line with Türkiye’s goals of independence and technological development in space, the Turkish Astronaut and Science Mission marks Türkiye’s first step in human spaceflight. The scientific experiments conducted by Türkiye’s first astronaut, Alper Gezeravcı, aboard the International Space Station (ISS), aim to establish Türkiye’s meaningful role in space research.

Türkiye’s progress in space activities is supported not only by human missions but also by Türksat communication satellites, Göktürk and İMECE observation satellites, scientific research projects, experimental CubeSats, and innovative initiatives such as Plan‑S’s commercial satellite ventures based on IoT and 6G NTN technologies, as well as the national positioning system and constellation satellites, all of which strengthen Türkiye’s independence and global influence in space technology.

National Space Program

Initiated in 2018 through a collaboration between TÜBİTAK and the Türkiye Space Agency (TUA), the National Space Program, officially announced on 9 September 2021, is a comprehensive framework defining Türkiye’s vision, strategies, and objectives for its space policy. Designed with consideration of global developments and Türkiye’s current potential, the program aims to ensure that its established goals are pursued in a coordinated and harmonized manner.

10 Objectives of the National Space Program

• Consolidation of satellite production under a single umbrella and the Domestic Satellite Development Program
• Ground-based Observation and Tracking of Space Objects
• Moon Program
• Regional Positioning and Timing
• Access to Space and Spaceport
• Technological Research on Space Environment
• Development of the Space Industry Ecosystem
• Space Awareness and Human Resource Development
• Space Technology Development Zone
• Turkish Astronaut and Science Mission

These 10 objectives outlined in Türkiye’s National Space Program have been shaped in accordance with fundamental policies such as access to space, national sovereignty in critical technologies, scientific contribution, peaceful use, commercial viability, and social benefit.

Turkish Astronaut and Science Mission

One of the ten objectives of the National Space Program, the Turkish Astronaut and Science Mission aims to enable a Turkish citizen to access space through international cooperation and actively participate in scientific activities. Within this framework, opportunities are provided for Turkish scientists to engage in space research, enhance Türkiye’s visibility in the space domain, inspire younger generations toward space endeavors, strengthen public interest in science and technology, and build knowledge in space biology and closed ecosystems on.

Astronaut Selection Process

In 2022, it was announced that two Turkish citizens would be selected under the Turkish Astronaut and Science Mission, with detailed application procedures published on TUA’s official website. Of the 36,000 applicants, candidates’ activities in engineering, physics, medicine, and astronomy fields, as well as their achievements in sports disciplines, were evaluated as key criteria. From these applicants, the top 30 were invited to Ankara, where they underwent rigorous medical and psychological testing.

Following a meticulous evaluation process, Alper Gezeravcı was selected as the primary candidate and Tuva Cihangir Atasever as the backup candidate. They were officially introduced on 29 April 2023 at TEKNOFEST, the world’s largest technology, space, and aviation festival.

Alper Gezeravcı

Alper Gezeravcı, born on 2 December 1979 in Mersin, graduated from the Department of Electronic Engineering at Air War School. He completed a master’s degree in operational research at the Air Force Technology Institute and served as an F-16 pilot in the Turkish Air Force, also holding the position of standard fleet academic wing commander. Selected as the primary candidate for Türkiye’s first human space mission, Alper Gezeravcı reached the ISS via the Crew Dragon capsule launched by a Falcon 9 rocket and conducted 13 experiments over 14 day, becoming the first Turkish astronaut in history.

Tuva Cihangir Atasever

Tuva Cihangir Atasever, born on 12 August 1992 in Ankara, graduated from Bilkent University’s Department of Electronic Engineering. He earned a master’s degree in electrical and electronics engineering at the University of California, Irvine, and later worked as an avionics engineer at ROKETSAN. Selected as the backup candidate for Türkiye’s first human space mission, Tuva Cihangir Atasever completed a suborbital flight aboard Virgin Galactic’s VSS Unity spacecraft, becoming the second Turkish astronaut after Gezeravcı’s mission.

Experiments

The experiments to be conducted during the mission were determined following TÜBİTAK’s Science Mission Call in 2022. Project proposals were evaluated in detail by a panel of experts from TUA and TÜBİTAK UZAY, based on criteria such as scientific contribution, feasibility, cost, applicability, and compatibility with ISS infrastructure.

The 13 selected experiments for execution aboard the ISS are:

• MİYOKA: This experiment aims to thoroughly investigate the effects of microgravity on the lead-free soldering process for electronic circuit boards. Post-mission, the resulting circuit boards will be analyzed in detail by TÜBİTAK UZAY to generate new insights into space manufacturing techniques. The project is led by TÜBİTAK UZAY and managed by Hakan Asan.

• CRISPR–GEM: This experiment seeks to measure how plants exposed to biological and non-biological stresses during space missions respond to microgravity using CRISPR gene-editing technology. This research will provide foundational knowledge for developing sustainable bioregenerative life support systems for long-duration space missions. The experiment is conducted under Yıldız Technical University, managed by project lead Tuğçe Celayir. All researchers involved in this project are volunteers of the Mars on Earth Project (MoEP).

• UYNA: This experiment targets the production of high-temperature-resistant, high-strength medium- and high-entropy alloys for aerospace and defense industries. During the experiment, thermophysical properties and crystal growth behaviors of the alloys during melting and solidification will be analyzed in detail under microgravity conditions. The project is led by TÜBİTAK Marmara Research Center and managed by Dr. Ömür Can Odabaş.

• gMETAL: This experiment aims to study the dynamics of solid particles forming a homogeneous mixture in a fluid medium under the influence of gravity, without chemical reactions. The data obtained will provide critical insights for improving the efficiency of spacecraft propulsion systems. The project is led by TÜBİTAK Marmara Research Center and managed by Prof. Dr. İskender Gökalp and Prof. Dr. Ahmet Yozgatlıgil.

• EXTREMOPHYTE: In this experiment, the physiological and molecular responses of Schrenkiella parvula, a plant endemic to Türkiye’s Tuz Gölü, to salt and other stress factors in the space environment will be analyzed using RNA-seq. The goal is to understand how microgravity affects plant stress responses. The experiment is conducted by Ege University and led by project manager Prof. Dr. İsmail Türkan.

• METABOLOM: This experiment aims to analyze changes in gene expression and metabolism in blood, urine, and saliva samples from the astronaut to understand the negative effects of the space environment on human health. The resulting data may contribute to developing new treatment strategies for existing diseases. The experiment is conducted by Ankara University and managed by Prof. Dr. Emel Emregül.

• MİYELOİD: This experiment will examine the effects of cosmic radiation and other stress factors during space travel on myeloid cells that suppress the immune system, thereby measuring and evaluating the harmful impacts of the space environment on the immune system. The experiment is conducted at Hacettepe University and managed by Prof. Dr. Güneş Esendağlı.

• MESSAGE: This experiment uses CRISPR gene-editing technology to identify which immune cells are directly affected by changes in gravity during space missions, aiming to uncover the effects of microgravity on genes whose functions are not yet fully understood. The project is led by Üsküdar University and managed by Dr. Öğr. Üyesi Cihan Taştan.

• ALGALSPACE: This experiment aims to investigate the growth performance, metabolic changes, CO₂-to-O₂ conversion capacity, and potential for life support applications such as supplemental food production of microalgae sourced from Antarctica and temperate climate zones. The experiment is conducted by Yıldız Technical University and managed by Prof. Dr. Didem Özçimen.

• UzMAn: This experiment analyzes the growth, resilience, and metabolic changes of microalgae under microgravity conditions, aiming to develop an effective life support unit based on CO₂ capture and O₂ production capabilities. The project is led by Boğaziçi University and managed by Dr. Öğr. Üyesi Berat Haznedaroğlu.

• PRANET: This experiment aims to compare the antibacterial effects of propolis, widely used in healthcare, on bacteria under microgravity conditions against control groups under normal gravity. The study is conducted by Muş Science and Art Center and managed by project lead Birsen Geçer.

• VOKALKORD: This experiment aims to detect early signs of respiratory system-related health issues by analyzing frequency changes in the human voice under microgravity using integrated artificial intelligence on smartwatches. The experiment is conducted by Haliç University and managed by Prof. Dr. Gökhan AYDEMİR.

• OKSİJEN SATURASYONU: This experiment aims to measure oxygen levels in supplied air under microgravity conditions using artificial intelligence support and to determine the effects of low gravity on the respiratory system based on the collected data. The experiment is conducted by Nişantaşı University and managed by Dr. Oğuzhan Aydemir.

Axiom Mission 3

Türkiye’s first human space mission was integrated into the Ax-3 mission organized by Axiom Space, which carried Türkiye’s first astronaut, Alper Gezeravcı, to the ISS.

The Dragon capsule belonging to SpaceX was launched on 19 January 2024 at 00:49 TSİ by a Falcon 9 rocket from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Mission commander Michael Lopez-Alegria represented the United States and Spain, while pilot Walter Villadei of the Italian Air Force and Swedish astronaut Marcus Wandt, representing the Swedish Space Agency, completed the crew. After a journey of approximately 36 hour, the Ax-3 crew, including Alper Gezeravcı, docked with the ISS on 20 January at approximately 13:42 TSİ.

After the Dragon capsule successfully docked with the ISS, the four-member Ax-3 crew entered the station. Immediately upon entering, Gezeravcı spoke live to audiences in Türkiye, uttering his first words in space: “To mark the moment when the first Turk has taken a step into space for Türkiye’s first human space mission, I begin with the brilliant words of the founder of the Republic of Türkiye, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk: ‘The future lies in the skies.’”

The Ax-3 crew carried not only scientific equipment but also personal items and symbolic objects representing their nations. For instance, Alper Gezeravcı’s luggage included a gift presented to him by Türkiye’s President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, family photographs, and artifacts from Yörük culture.

During his 14 days aboard the ISS, Alper Gezeravcı successfully completed 13 scientific experiments, demonstrating Türkiye’s determination in space research to the entire world. These experiments generated significant data across multiple domains, including human health, biotechnology, materials science, and space technology.

Not only did Alper Gezeravcı conduct experiments aboard the ISS, but he also regularly engaged in live broadcasts with Turkish scientists, university project managers, and students. During these broadcasts, he detailed the responses of plants in the EXTREMOPHYTE experiment to stress, the efficiency of gene editing under microgravity in the CRISPR-GEM experiment, and the AI-supported voice frequency analyses in the VOKALKORD experiment.

Through his work aboard the ISS, Alper Gezeravcı laid a strong foundation for Türkiye’s future space projects. His live broadcasts also inspired young people, helping to create the groundwork for Türkiye to take even greater strides in aviation and space. This mission was not only a scientific milestone but also a pivotal moment in shaping Türkiye’s potential in space.

Significance for Türkiye and the World

Türkiye’s first human space mission is valuable not only for its scientific and technological achievements but also for its profound social and cultural significance. Symbolically timed to coincide with the 100th anniversary of the Republic, the mission is represented by a special emblem featuring the Turkish flag surrounded by 16 stars, symbolizing the 16 great Turkish states established throughout history.

Future strategies and projects demonstrate that this mission is merely a beginning. Long-term plans include human lunar landings and robotic exploration missions to Mars, with the goal of achieving independent launch capability through domestic rocket and spacecraft development. Furthermore, international collaborations with Europe, the United States, Asia, and other region countries are expected to enhance Türkiye’s prestige on the global stage by increasing participation in international space research and scientific data sharing.