Turkish Astronaut Alper Gezeravcı is ready for the mission before the launch on January 17. The team that will take part in the AX-3 mission has completed their SpaceX Dragon spacecraft training. Here are the first Turkish Astronaut Alper Gezeravcı and his AX-3 team in their astronaut suits.
First Turkish Astronaut is ready for ISS Space Station mission AX-3
Astronauts completed the final preparations for the AX-3 mission. SpaceX previously postponed the launch for the mission. The company explained the reason for this delay as adverse weather conditions and SpaceX changing the launch order.
Accordingly, Alper Gezeravcı, the first Turkish Astronaut with AX-3, will be the first citizen of the Republic of Turkey to step into space on January 17, unless anything goes wrong.
They launched two rockets three hours apart! New record from SpaceX!
SpaceX launched two rockets three hours apart to cap off its record-breaking year. Thus, he made a total of 98 take-offs this year.
The mission will last 14 days on the International Space Station. Gezeravcı will return to the country at the end of this 14-day period. But who is the first Turkish astronaut Alper Gezeravcı?
Who is Alper Gezeravcı?
Alper Gezeravcı, who was born in Mersin on December 2, 1979, is an F-16 pilot who has been serving in the Air Forces Command for 21 years. Gezeravcı, who graduated from the Air Force Academy as an Electronics Engineer, completed his master’s degree in Operations Research at the US Air Force Institute of Technology.
Space agencies generally select astronauts among people who can withstand high G forces, such as jet pilots. In this sense, astronaut candidates must pass certain challenging pressure tests. Another goal of Turkey after the Turkish Astronaut is to make a hard landing on the Moon. However, the Turkish Space Agency has not yet shared any developments for the mission, which will take place in 2023 according to the calendar.
So, do you think Turkey could soon become one of the countries that launched its own rocket into space and landed on the moon? We are waiting your comments.