SpaceX’s spacecraft, including Turkey’s first space traveler Alper Gezeravcı, a member of the Ax-3 mission, was successfully launched from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 16.49 US local time (00.49 Turkish lira). The Dragon capsule, launched with the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, set out for the International Space Station. After the 36-hour journey, docking with the International Space Station will take place on Saturday at 13.15 GMT.
“THE FUTURE IS IN THE SKY”
The first words of Turkish astronaut Alper Gezeravcı, who sent a video message from space, were “The future is in the skies.” Gezeravcı said, “At this moment when the first Turk steps into space, I want to start this moment with the words of our great Ancestor. The genius word of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the Republic of Turkey. The future is the skies.”
The first words of the first Turkish astronaut Alper Gezeravcı in space were “The future is in the skies” pic.twitter.com/TSb14b2rua
— EPN (@mynet) January 18, 2024
FALCON 9 LEAVED FROM THE CAPSULE AND LANDED
The Falcon 9 rocket successfully separated from the Dragon capsule carrying the Ax-3 crew after raising it to the specified height. Falcon 9, which landed after leaving the capsule, successfully landed at Cape Canaveral Base, located east of the Kennedy Space Center. The Merlin space engine, which comes into play after the Falcon 9 separates from the Dragon capsule, will power the capsule to reach the ISS. The launch, which was previously planned to take place on January 17, US local time, was postponed by SpaceX for one day to complete final checks.
STATEMENT FROM PRESIDENT ERDOĞAN
In his message, President Erdoğan said, “We are stepping into the second century of our Republic, the Century of Turkey, with the manned space mission we have carried out for the first time. As the heirs of the civilization that has made unique contributions to the history of science, we are making a very valuable start to re-execute the mission we have carried in history. We are making a very valuable start in the National Space Mission that we declared to the world in 2021.” “We are thus making one of our goals in our Space Program a reality,” he said.
HE TESTED GRAVITY
The first images from inside the Dragon capsule that will go to the International Space Station have also been released. This is how Alper Gezeravcı tested gravity with the pen in his hand.
This is how Alper Gezeravcı tested gravity pic.twitter.com/4m2CEVuqAv
— EPN (@mynet) January 18, 2024
WHAT WILL HE DO FOR 14 DAYS IN SPACE?
The second phase has now begun for the first Turkish astronaut in space, Alper Gezeravcı, and his teammates. Astronauts will spend 14 days in space.
13 SCIENTIFIC EXPERIMENTS WILL BE CONDUCTED
From the moment the launch began, scientific studies began. Astronauts, who will spend 14 days in the microgravity environment on the space station, will conduct many experiments, from the effects of space flight on human health and diseases to new generation alloys. Gezeravcı will also carry out 13 scientific experiments in space during the process. The studies will be carried out in coordination with TUBITAK Space, Axiom Space and NASA. Gezeravcı will carry out experiments in fields such as biology, medicine, material science and genetics. Alper Gezeravcı will address the world from the space base from time to time and share his experiences in space.
IT WILL LAND IN THE OCEAN OFF ORLANDO
After the mission is completed, the astronauts will leave the station with the Dragon capsule. After entering the atmosphere, the capsule will open its parachutes and land in the ocean off the coast of Orlando.
The Axiom Mission 3 (Ax-3) crew, including Turkey’s first space traveler Alper Gezeravcı, said goodbye to their families before departing for the Crew Dragon spacecraft.
The Ax-3 crew, who arrived at the site by helicopter, first greeted their families from afar, and Gezeravcı raised his fists in the air and greeted his family with both hands.