‘Historic milestone’: Turkiye’s first astronaut, Gezeravci launches into space

Turkiye’s Alper Gezeravci becomes the first astronaut of the country on Thursday, as the Crew Dragon spacecraft launched into space

Alper Gezeravci officially became the first astronaut of Turkiye on Thursday, as Crew Dragon spacecraft leaped into space, marking a historic milestone in the history of Turkiye’s space program.

Gezeravci performs an important task as Mission Specialist 1 in Axiom Space’s Mission 3 or Ax-3, the first astronaut mission of the country.

International Crew Assumes Command

Breaking away from tradition, the crew of Axiom Mission 3 comprises exclusively European nationals, distinguished military pilots, and seasoned astronauts. The helm of this historic mission is commanded by United States/Spanish astronaut Michael López-Alegrí, marking his sixth venture into space. Assisting him as the mission’s pilot is Walter Villadei, an Italian Air Force pilot on his second spaceflight.

Turkiye Makes Space History

Adding to the historic significance of the mission is the introduction of Turkiye into space history, with Alper Gezeravaci becoming the first astronaut from the country, serving as Mission Specialist 1. Representing Sweden and a member of the 2022 European Space Agency Astronaut Group, Marcus Wandt assumes the role of Mission Specialist 2, participating in his inaugural spaceflight. Together, they form a cohesive team tailored to address the unique challenges and opportunities presented by this pioneering venture.

Symbolic Naming and Mythological Inspiration

Notably, the naming conventions for the mission components carry symbolic significance. The mission component named “Muninn” pays homage to the masterpiece “Huginn” created by fellow Scandinavian ESA astronaut Andreas Mogensen, adding an artistic and mythological layer to this space odyssey.

Paving the Way for European Space Exploration

Axiom Mission 3 holds historical importance as the first orbital spaceflight in history with European citizens on board. Beyond showcasing the technological prowess of Axiom Space and the Crew Dragon spacecraft, the mission catalyzes international collaboration in space exploration, paving the way for a new era in European space endeavors.

Source: Newsroom