‘There are perhaps even some ladies who want to go to space,’ says Erdoğan

* Photo: Ali Balıkçı / AA

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Ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) Chair and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan unveiled Turkey's new "National Space Program" in a publicity meeting yesterday evening (February 9).

"The civilization we represent taking the lead in the world again depends on the progress Turkey will make in the space race," argued Erdoğan and added: "We should revitalize our civilization in order for the whole humanity, not just some part of it, to achieve peace and serenity."

"The national space program will carry our country to an upper league in the global space race," Erdoğan stressed during the meeting in Ankara.

Referring to the new program, he also said, "We aim to send a Turkish citizen to space. I am sure that several people grew up with this dream. There are perhaps even some ladies* who want to become a candidate."

'Our goal to be completed in 2 stages'

As reported by the state-run Anadolu Agency (AA), Erdoğan noted that the space program "outlines Turkey's 10-year vision, strategies, objectives, and projects on space policies", adding that "the primary and most important mission of the program is to make the first contact with the Moon in 2023."

Indicating that the goal will be completed in two stages, Erdoğan explained that "at the first stage, a rough landing would be made on the Moon with a national and authentic hybrid rocket that will be launched into orbit at the end of 2023 through international cooperation."

"When completing this task, we will be one of the countries that have managed to reach the Moon, and we will gather necessary information for the second stage of the mission," Erdoğan said.

At the second stage of the program in 2028, the initial launching, which carried Turkey's probe to orbit, will be made through Turkey's own rockets, Erdoğan noted, adding, "As we make a soft landing on the Moon, we will be one of the few countries that could conduct scientific activities on it."

'To gain a higher share from satellite market'

Further in his speech, he stressed that "the Moon Program will leverage Turkey's breakthroughs in launch, rocket, and control technologies."

Noting that the program's second goal is to create a trademark on the new-generation satellite development, Erdoğan said that the country would gather satellite production activities under a single authority coordinated by the Turkish Space Agency (TUA).

"We plan to gain a higher share from the world satellite market by enhancing our competitiveness thanks to this move," he explained.

Under its national space program, Turkey aims to set up a regional positioning and timing system, Erdoğan noted.

With this regional positioning system, to be created with an innovative method through using satellites along with ground systems, Turkey will end its foreign dependency, the President stressed further.

"This will pave the way to develop our own precise navigation applications in defense, agriculture, urbanization, and autonomous vehicles."

'We will carry our success to the space area'

Turkey is planning to establish a spaceport while ensuring access to space, Erdoğan stressed, adding, "We should make our national and domestic rockets to carry heavy payloads to the Earth's orbit."

Noting that Turkey's geographical location is not convenient for establishing the spaceport, he indicated that the country would cooperate with allied countries in the most suitable areas for this purpose.

Another goal of the program is to increase its competitiveness in space by investing in space weather, meteorology, Erdoğan said.

Turkey will boost its efficiency in astronomical observations and follow-up of space objects from the Earth, he noted.

"Thus, we will contribute to recording and tracking of objects in the Earth's orbit," he said. Under the program, Turkey will further develop the economy of its space industry, Erdoğan stressed.

"We will carry our success in the defense industry to the space area and ensure the formation of a strong and productive ecosystem."

'We will develop competent human resources'

A Space Technology Development Region to welcome domestic and foreign investors will be established, the president also said.

Noting that the country will develop effective and competent human resources in the field of space, Erdoğan indicated that the "final goal is to send a Turkish citizen to space with a scientific mission."

"We have developed and produced several critical subsystems such as high-resolution space camera, new generation flight computer and software, electric thruster engine, steerable antenna, reaction wheel, star camera, and sun sensor," President Erdoğan also noted.

(EKN/SD)

* In his speech, Erdoğan referred to women (kadınlar) as ladies (bayanlar). "Bayan" is a derogatory equivalent of "lady/ma'am", used as a supposedly "polite" form of address as opposed to "woman", which is considered "vulgar" in some and particularly conservative circles.