Countries’ efforts to establish dominance in space have become more competitive in recent years. In addition to many countries, private companies also became partners in the competition in this field and increased their activities. Turkey has also put forward a mission called the ‘National Space Program’ in order to realize it in the next 10 years.
Among the missions in the National Space Program landing hard on the moon and there are goals such as sending a Turkish astronaut to the International Space Station. At the same time, we can call it the basis of communication. satellite development While many projects have been completed in the field, studies and investments continue.
In the light of all these developments, we TÜBİTAK Space Technologies Research Institute Director Assoc. Dr. Mesut GÖKTEN We hosted. Turkish Space Agency (TUA) Expressing the work done together, Gökten talked about the space missions Turkey plans to carry out in the coming years and said. Turkish astronaut going to the International Space Station He gave tips on how to be.
First of all, what is TUBITAK UZAY Technologies Research Institute, what kind of studies does it do? Let’s hear from you.
TUBITAK UZAY Technologies Research Institute, as in its name space technologies working on it. If we narrow it down more, we can say mostly satellite technologies. Among the satellites we have produced before, there are those that have completed their mission and are still actively working. For example, one of them GOKTURK 2. We are currently in the testing phase of two of our projects. One of these IMECE satellite. We produce almost all of the equipment on this satellite and special software for it. The satellite will begin this satellite mission in February 2023.
Another project that is still in the flight model stage and whose tests are still ongoing. TURKSAT 6A satellite. In this project, we are working with TUSAŞ, ASELSAN and CTECH companies. Hopefully, we will launch it in 2023.
With the establishment of the Turkish Space Agency (TUA) in 2018, our country has acquired a different space mission. What projects do you carry out with TUA?
These two projects I mentioned above are actually commercial projects. Other public research institutions operating in this field, besides commercial activities, to scientific missions they are also heading. Turkish Space Agency (TUA) We did not have such a mission before it was founded. With the establishment of TUA, we started to engage in such missions.
‘We will spend 3 months in lunar orbit and land hard on the lunar surface’
The National Space Program has 10 goals and two major projects. One of these hard landing on the moon. It is a project of approximately thirty months, signed at the end of last year and for which we acted as the main contractor. In this context, we will first go to Earth orbit, then we will move to Moon orbit by firing from Earth orbit with our own engines. We will have a 3-month orbital operation per month. Hard landing leaves at the end of 3 months We will make contact with the lunar surface. During these 3 months, we will shoot different images, collect data, and share them with scientists in Turkey and around the world. This is a very important space mission for us.
‘We will put our name among the countries that conduct experiments in space and send astronauts’
Another space mission sending a Turkish astronaut to the International Space Station. Our astronaut will stay there for 10 days and do multiple experiments. In this way, we will take our place among the countries that conduct experiments in space and send astronauts. We are also working as the main contractor in the project funded by TUA.
So, what will the Turkish astronaut going into space be like?
We are in the evaluation process after the application phase for the Turkish astronaut. This astronaut is there Must be able to perform various experiments. Of course, for this, he must have received training in the appropriate departments. After completing his experiments, he will have an important representation duty when he comes to our country. He draws attention wherever he goes. He will be a role model for young people.. For this reason, he should be a strong communicator who can inspire young people. Turkey will go down in history. He needs to be a person who will represent our country and our nation in the best possible way.
Do you think our people have enough information about the studies on space? What opportunities are there for them to gain knowledge?
Space is a distant sector for our people. People didn’t know much about what we were doing until Teknofest etc. These kinds of events are also opportunities for us. We see great interest and we get the chance to contact people one-on-one. We also observe the effect of this on our social media accounts. Children are also very interested. We also organize events that can attract their influence. We also participate in the Sky Observation Festivals and the fairs of our science centers and share with people.
How do you find the investments made in the field of space both in the world and in Turkey?
I think the investments made in this sector are very important. On the scientific side of the space industry it is possible for people to have doubts. First we have to look at the application side. We need to know that satellite technology is behind many of the services we use in the world today. One of the most important is the communication sector. Sometimes we can even get telephone service over satellite without realizing it. Navigation or similar positioning systems on the mobile phone are satellite-based. In terms of intelligence very important for national security occupies a place.
If we did not make these investments in our country, we would have to go and buy from abroad. A sector with a high export potential is the space sector. For example, we had a camera export. The kilogram price is around 100 thousand dollars. Maybe The most value-added products exported from Turkey somebody.
Finally, what should a person who wants to work in the field of space do in a period where investments have increased so much, what kind of path should he follow?
Space really too much discipline a demanding field. It is not necessary to finish a chapter on space. The space field includes most of the basic engineering sciences such as mechatronics, machinery, electrical electronics and software. Space law is another field that law students may be interested in. There are also commercial and managerial issues related to space. It is possible for people to head into space after undergraduate education in many fields. Working well as it is a competitive fieldIt is necessary to be curious, to know a foreign language. There are many competitions and collaborations in this field. It is very important for them to develop themselves in working as a team. Internship in companies such as Tübitak UZAY, TUSAŞ, Aselsan will also provide them with a great advantage.
TÜBİTAK UZAY Institute Director Assoc. Dr. Many thanks to Mesut GÖKTEN for his answers.
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