ALBAWABA - The much-anticipated return of Alper Gezeravcı, Turkey's trailblazing astronaut on his historic space journey, faces a temporary setback. Due to adverse weather conditions at the designated landing site, the return mission is now rescheduled for Monday.
Industry and Technology Minister, Mehmet Fatih Kacır, took to social media to share the news, explaining that the decision was prompted by the unsuitable weather conditions in the landing zone. Kacır added that the subsequent estimated departure from the International Space Station (ISS) is now slated for Monday.
Gezeravcı, who captivated the nation with his venture into space, delivered a poignant speech at the farewell ceremony held on the ISS. Expressing gratitude to his fellow crew members and to Turkey, he stated, "I am honored and elated to have embarked on this historic mission for our country in the new era of Turkey. Each step we take contributes to the future of our beloved Earth."
The live-streamed farewell ceremony, courtesy of Axiom Space, allowed viewers to witness this significant moment in Turkey's space exploration. The return journey will see Gezeravcı and his team using the Dragon capsule, with an anticipated landing off the coast of Orlando, USA.
Since the launch from Florida's Kennedy Space Center on January 16, Gezeravcı and the Ax-3 Mission team, comprising Michael López-Alegría, Walter Villadei, and Marcus Wandt, successfully entered the ISS on January 20.
Gezeravcı, during his stay on the ISS, conducted a remarkable 13 experiments. These experiments covered diverse areas, from advancements in materials for Turkey's space and defense industries to exploring the impact of space conditions on the human body.
The astronaut shared insights into his plant experiments in a social media post. He emphasized the importance of these studies in measuring how plants respond to challenging conditions influenced by climate change, underscoring that each endeavor contributes to shaping a better future for our planet.
