The first Turkish astronaut, Alper Gezeravcı, was launched to the International Space Station (ISS) in the Ax-3 mission from Kennedy Space Center with SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket last January. We talked about this whole adventure with Alper Gezeravcı, who carried out experiments in the space environment.
What did the first Turkish astronaut Alper Gezeravcı do?
The Ax-3 crew, aboard the SpaceX Dragon capsule leaving the International Space Station (ISS), crashed into the sea off the coast of Florida, USA, at 16.29 on February 9. At 17.28, they left the capsule and were taken by the incoming ship.
Gezeravcı and the other astronauts, who will undergo comprehensive health screening in Houston, Texas, USA, were kept under quarantine for a while and Gezeravcı returned to Turkey recently.
Gezeravcı performed 13 important experiments during his time at the International Space Station. He conducted research on many important issues such as salt stress and space conditions in these experiments determined by the Turkish Space Agency and TÜBİTAK.
Astronaut Gezeravcı continued his experiments according to his schedule every day from the day he reached the ISS until his return. With the MYELOID experiment, he investigated how galactic cosmic radiation, gravitational changes and other challenging factors exposed during his stay in space affected the astronauts’ immune system and blood production process.
MİYOKA provided critical information about lead-free soldering to the space and defense industry with its experiment. With the “UYNA” experiment, it carried out an important experiment that is expected to contribute to Turkey’s ability to develop new generation materials for the space, aviation and defense industries.
With the “MESSAGE” experiment, he investigated the genes whose functions have not yet been discovered and their relationship with the immune system, which are affected by the non-gravity environment. He also carried out the “PRANET” experiment upon the suggestion of the students of Muş Science and Art Center.
With the “GmetAL” experiment, he aimed to make the propulsion systems of space vehicles more efficient. Prof. from TÜBİTAK MAM. Dr. This experiment, where İskender Gökalp and Deputy Minister of Industry and Technology Ahmet Yozgatlıgil were project managers, was important.
He also conducted the “EXTREMOPHYTE” experiment, which investigated the physiological and molecular responses of the endemic halophyte plant Schrenkiella Parvula, which grows in Salt Lake, to the space environment.
With the “CRISPR-GEM” and “Expert” experiments, the development of new plants for people who will live in space in the future and the usability of microalgae species in space life support systems were investigated.
The use of algae in space was investigated with the “ALGALSPACE” experiment. With the “VOCALCORD” experiment, vital reactions to living in space were detected through changes originating from the “vocal cord” and the disorders caused by low gravity were identified with sound frequencies.
Finally, with the “OXYGEN SATURATION” experiment, the differences and discomforts caused by low gravity were identified by calculating the oxygen level of the supplied air with the support of artificial intelligence.
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