Technology Minister Varank: “Space Is Not a Luxury”

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan recently announced that in 2023 within the framework of the National Space Programme. that a Turkish citizen will be sent to the International Space Station had explained. Following this statement, applications were opened to become the first Turkish citizen to go into space, and the required conditions and mission information were presented. It was also announced how many people applied in a day.

On the other hand, the new statement brought the National Space Program to the agenda again. While this agenda continues to be discussed, Industry and Technology Minister Mustafa Varank remarkable remarks. From Hürriyet to Hande Fırat speaking Varank made statements about both the mission and the space program.

What will be sought in the candidate who will go to space, what will the candidate do in space?

“It must be young and dynamic. It will be 10 years of compulsory service. He will give conferences in Turkey. He will conduct scientific studies and experiments on the Space Station. Must be graduated from a suitable university. Health conditions are important. He will not have blood pressure, for example, he will not have undergone surgery. It will pass the psychological test. It will take about 8 months of training before going into space.”

“Space is not a luxury”

After these statements, Varank also touched on one of the most discussed issues about the program. In current economic conditions Answering the question of whether space is a luxury, Varank spoke as follows:

“Space is not a luxury. Race or even war now. When Russia hit Ukraine’s infrastructure, Ukraine was able to take action with Elon Musk’s satellites. Making an impact on earth now passes through space. India’s per capita income is 1900 dollars, but they are ahead in space studies. There are young people trained in the space field, if we do not take these steps, what alternative will I offer them? Am I going to make a special pen for the headmen? Our next goals are to send a drone to the moon, collect all satellite capability in one hand, and build the largest observatory.”