Applications have started to be the first Turk to be sent to the International Space Station in 2023. Let’s take a look at the requirements and application process for the first Turkish citizen to go into space. We have also listed the qualifications NASA, ESA and Roscosmos look for in the people they will send into space for comparison purposes.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan made a new statement within the framework of Turkey’s National Space Program after the Cabinet Meeting on May 23. Erdogan is a Sending a Turkish citizen to the International Space Station announced the start of its work.
A Turkish citizen selected within the scope of the National Space Program will take his place on the International Space Station in 2023. So, how will the first Turkish citizen to be a ‘Space Traveler’ be selected? What are the requirements for this citizen? Let’s look at the application conditions shared by the Turkish Space Agency.
Conditions sought in Turkey’s space traveler
General conditions:
- Being a citizen of the Republic of Turkey,
- Being born after May 23, 1977,
- Being not prohibited from public rights,
- To have completed one of the faculties of Education in the fields of Engineering, Medicine, Science / Basic Sciences or Science / Basic Sciences, which provide at least 4 years of undergraduate education in Higher Education Institutions,
- Have a very good command of English, understand, speak and write,
- Demonstrating English proficiency with a score from one of the following exams,
- KPDS/YDS: 90
- TOEFL IBT: 101
- TOEFL CBT: 251
- TOEFL PBT: 604
- CPE: B
- Standing height in the range of 149.5 – 190.5 centimeters
- Having a sitting height of 78.2 – 101.3 centimeters,
- Having a weight in the range of 43 – 110 kilograms.
- For male candidates, having fulfilled their military obligation or not having a military service relationship as of the application deadline (23 June 2022),
- With the exception of negligent offenses, offenses converted to alternative sanctions to short-term imprisonment, and postponed provisions excluding the offenses listed below; For crimes committed against the security of the State, the constitutional order and the functioning of this order, even if they have been imprisoned for more than six months or even if they have been pardoned, embezzlement, embezzlement, bribery, theft, qualified theft, fraud, forgery, breach of trust, fraudulent bankruptcy, etc. Not to be convicted of offensive crime or smuggling, collusion in official tenders and purchases, disclosing the secret of duty, crimes against state secrets. Not being a member, affiliation or affiliation with, or being in contact with, terrorist organizations or structures, formations or groups determined by the National Security Council to act against the national security of the State within the scope of Decree Law No. 667.
General health conditions:
- To have 100% (Snellen 20/20) visual acuity in both eyes naturally or after correction with glasses/contact lenses,
- Not having any of the color vision disorders,
- Not experiencing any limb loss or transplant,
- Not using a prosthesis and not having a platinum/screw in the body,
- Have normal range of motion and functionality for all joints,
- Not having a hearing impairment (to be able to hear a speech at normal volume in a quiet room from a distance of 2 meters with the back turned without difficulty and error),
- Not having experienced eardrum discomfort, Eustachian tube problems, otosclerosis and similar disorders,
- Having blood pressure / blood pressure below 155/95, not having a chronic heart and vascular system disease,
- Not have a respiratory system disease that impairs lung functions,
- No serious illness or sequelae of previous surgeries that may cause obstruction in the digestive system and risk flight safety,
- No disease or sequelae of previous surgeries in the urinary and reproductive tracts (genitourinary system),
- Not have a serious or contagious infectious disease that may endanger flight safety,
- Not having had major gynecological surgery,
- Have not experienced panic disorder, anxiety disorders, psychotic disorder, bipolar disorder, suicidal ideation, insomnia or other severe personality disorders,
- Not having experienced alcohol, drug/stimulant or drug addiction at any time in his life,
- No fear of darkness, heights, speed, accidents, crowds, suffocation/suffocation, clutter, loneliness/isolation, confined/confined spaces,
- Nervous system disorders such as epilepsy, tremor, MS (multiple sclerosis), stroke (paralysis) and not having experienced unconsciousness of unknown cause,
- Not having diabetes that requires treatment with insulin or other hypoglycemic drugs.
Personality characteristics:
- Having the knowledge and skills necessary to understand the working principles of complex systems,
- Having the ability to solve problems, especially in uncomfortable and restricted environments and in the presence of external stimuli encountered for the first time,
- Being prone to teamwork and having high level communication skills,
- Being able to stay calm under pressure and difficulties, be solution-oriented and move forward by making logical decisions.
What conditions is NASA looking for in its astronauts?
US National Aeronautics and Space Agency (NASA)In addition to US citizenship, astronaut candidates are looking for a master’s degree in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. However, in astronauts at least two years in jet aircraft Relevant professional experience or at least 1,000 hours of piloting time is required.
What conditions is Roscosmos looking for in its cosmonauts?
State agency responsible for Russia’s space science program and general aeronautics and space research RoscosmosIn addition to being a Russian citizen, he is looking for a good level of English and higher education in the cosmonauts he will send into space. However, while flight experience is not sought for candidates, those who have this experience come to the fore.
What conditions is the European Space Agency (ESA) looking for in its astronauts?
European Space Agency (ESA)seeks for its astronauts citizenship of any European Space Agency country, as well as at least a master’s degree in natural sciences, medicine, engineering, mathematics or computer science, or an experimental test pilot and/or test engineer degree from an official experimental test pilot school and a good command of English.