Türkiye’s first space traveller bids farewell to ISS VIDEO
Türkiye’s very first space traveller, Alper Gezeravci, has bid farewell to the International Space Station where he successfully conducted 13 experiments prepared by Turkish scientists and research institutions.
Part of the four-person Axiom Mission 3 (Ax-3) crew, Gezeravci undocked from the ISS onboard the SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule Freedom at 1420 GMT on February 7, concluding his extended 18-day stay at the station, TRT World reports.
“We carried out all planned experimental activities on the ISS,” Project Manager Omer Atas tells TRT World from the mission control centre at Axiom Space headquarters in Houston, Texas, amid preparations for Gezeravci’s return.
The #Ax3 crew has a 47-hour ride before splashdown off the coast of Florida. Splashdown is anticipated to take place no earlier than February 9th at 08:30 am ET. Live coverage will begin at 07:25 am ET. Watch live at https://t.co/e8iLPFplbC. pic.twitter.com/2hdLxtYHFS
— Axiom Space (@Axiom_Space) February 9, 2024
Atas and his team have closely monitored Gezeravci from Houston throughout his journey. They are now coordinating his return, tracking the Freedom spacecraft as it descends upon the Earth, expected to splashdown approximately 48 hours later at one of seven potential sites in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Florida.
“After landing on Earth, the analysis phase will start. It is a long process, but we will let our people know about the results,” says Atas, expressing pride and joy as the manager of Türkiye’s inaugural human space flight mission.
"I'm happy to see that the entire country is excited for and supporting this project," adds Atas, who works for the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Türkiye (TUBITAK).
During a farewell ceremony on February 9, the trailblazing astronaut thanked the station’s Expedition 70 crew for their hospitality and expressed hope that his mission would be an inspiring first step for Türkiye’s bright future in space.
The crew was initially planned to stay on the ISS for 14 days, returning on February 3, but their return was delayed three times due to unfavourable recovery weather, SpaceX said on X. During the extension, the astronauts further documented life aboard the station, taking pictures and recording outreach videos.
Dragon separation confirmed! pic.twitter.com/g04pZ81RdS
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) February 7, 2024