Turkey's first astronaut Alper Gezeravcı answered the questions of TÜBİTAK Science High School, science high schools in Istanbul and Kocaeli, and students who have achieved success in International Science Olympiads, who are interested in science and space studies, via a live link from the International Space Station (ISS).

Deputy Minister of Industry and Technology Prof. Dr. Ahmet Yozgatlıgil and TÜBİTAK President Prof. Dr. Hasan Mandal did not leave the students alone. The other selected astronaut Tuva Cihangir Atasever also attended the event.

"Science awareness is very important"

In his speech at the event, Deputy Minister of Industry and Technology Prof. Dr. Ahmet Yozgatlıgil talked about his own education process and experiences. Pointing out the importance of zero-gravity environments and the combustion caused by them, Yozgatlıgil said, "The International Space Station is actually a laboratory and we are connecting to it. It is the size of a 6-room house. It carries out very important studies, but in this campus we are in, very advanced research is being carried out in an environment where there is gravity." Yozgatlıgil also pointed to the importance of TÜBİTAK Gebze Campus, saying, "How can materials resistant to higher temperatures be created? Why can't we do these things on Earth, or how can we do them on Earth? You can also conduct studies such as how to produce carbon dioxide or feed on carbon dioxide in the lunar ecosystem in living environments in space on this campus. So actually science awareness is very important. It is all in your hands. The important thing is to be involved in research."

Pointing to the importance of young people taking an active part in the research ecosystem, Yozgatlıgil said: "We are doing very good things right now, we are producing our own satellites. There are so many responsibilities and opportunities in front of you both in science, engineering and medicine. There is so much work to be done in Turkey. I hope we will see you working at universities," he concluded his remarks.

"This mission is the first, but it won't be the last"

Speaking at the event, Prof. Dr. Hasan Mandal emphasized the importance of the science mission; "Indeed, every experience here has been carefully selected in a different way in every living unit and technologies."

Emphasizing that the name of the mission is Turkish astronaut and science mission, Mandal said: "I think this mission is more meaningful for the students at our Science High School. This mission will continue in the future. The science mission will continue, so it is necessary to design for the future now."

Mandal also recalled the Moon mission and said, "We also have other projects such as realizing our own launch operations and creating our own spacecraft. We are also researching different missions to be carried out by TÜBİTAK."

Emphasizing that "you are the ones who will realize these missions", Prof. Dr. Mandal said, "We meet our young people in many environments, in project competitions, science olympiads, TEKNOFEST. That is our meeting point with you, you should be the next one! Unfortunately, not every student can be offered this opportunity, but you are the students who have this opportunity. Not only because you participated here but also because you have the right to be a student in the best high schools in Turkey. This is your success, but it is also an important responsibility for the future. I think you will fulfill this important responsibility in the best way possible."

"This mission, as our Minister and President have stated on many occasions, is the first but will not be the last. Therefore, there is a lot of innovation and scientific depth to be done in this field for our friends who will be involved in the next stages. As the problems increase, we need to take steps to solve them."

Alper Gezeravcı answered students' questions

When asked about "what he felt at the moment he was strapped into the chair during the launch process", Gezeravcı said the following: "After a long and arduous preparation process, I was very happy to know that the moment that our nation was eagerly waiting for had arrived and that the whole country was following the launch process with one heart. With a big smile on my face, I thought that the process and the moment I was in was extraordinary. On the other hand, I was repeating the reaction we would show in possible emergency scenarios and the emergency procedures we would apply." Gezeravcı stated that he developed his physical abilities in order to fulfill his duties while his body was under the crushing weight of gravity, and said that his aviation training and experience helped him to spend the launch process comfortably.

"Our experiment subjects include different disciplines"

Answering a question about the results of the experiments he conducted on the ISS, Gezeravcı said: "Our experimental subjects include different disciplines in biology, physics, medicine and genetics. We have the 'gMetal' experiment prepared within TÜBİTAK. We are investigating the effect of creating a homogeneous mixture between solid particles and fluid media on gravity under conditions without chemical reaction. In the field of medicine, we have an experiment in which we examine the effects of the space environment on human health. Here we study the effect of radiation exposure on cancer-causing suppressor cells. We are investigating genes whose function has not yet been discovered that are affected by the zero-gravity environment and their relationship with the immune system. In order to detect these effects, my blood samples have started to be taken around the world and are still being taken. At the end of the mission, my last blood samples will be taken and the study for the sample will be completed. With the 'PRANET' experiment, we are investigating the effect of propolis on bacteria in a microgravity environment."

"We can conduct experiments in much more limited conditions than in the world"

In response to the question "What changes occur in human health and physiology in the space environment?", Gezeravcı said that space flight has challenging physical conditions for many people. Gezeravcı explained that although the ISS protects them from environmental factors such as space radiation, their bodies have many physiological challenges to contend with: "Due to low gravity, reduced physical activity and other conditions, it is likely to cause many problems such as nutritional problems and insomnia. Our scientists from Ankara University are working to reveal the effects of launch, space environment and return on human health. For this, they will analyze the data on the physiological and biochemical changes in my body. These valuable data will contribute to the development of treatment and preventive measures against the negative effects of future missions as well as diseases in the world."

Answering the question about "which infrastructures he used while conducting the experiments", Gezeravcı said that they were able to conduct experiments on the ISS under much more limited conditions than on Earth and in accordance with high-level security procedures.

Explaining that they have limited energy and raw material resources on the ISS, Gezeravcı said: "For this reason, experiments to be carried out in space are first adapted to this environment. This requires the cooperation of both the scientists who propose the experiment and experts in the technological possibilities on the station. For our materials experiment, we need to suspend the alloys we brought from Earth in Japan's KIBO module with electrostatic force and simultaneously heat them with laser beams and bring them to melting temperature. We can safely create the environment we need for this with the infrastructure we call ELF on the station." Stating that they were in constant communication with the ISS mission control center while conducting the experiments, Gezeravcı said that the TÜBİTAK Space team and scientists from universities followed the experiments in coordination and supported him when necessary. Gezeravcı emphasized that if he encountered an unexpected situation during the experiments, he could consult experts again, and stated that continuous communication is critical not only for the successful conduct of the experiments, but also for the protection of the health and safety of the astronauts.

Gezeravcı answered the question "What are the qualities an astronaut should have?" as follows: "An astronaut needs to embody many different qualities. I think that composure is a shield that contains these various qualities, protects the whole and enables us to fully utilize our potential in case of need. My experience in aviation and the emergencies I have experienced in the past have brought me to a point where I am quite confident today in terms of keeping my cool. In order to reach space and live here, our physical and mental state has to be suitable for living in space. So a healthy body and mind is very important. But I think that as long as there is no congenital disorder and you lead a healthy life, most of you will meet these criteria. Education is very important to become an astronaut. A master's degree in basic technology such as engineering, science, mathematics or medicine can be a good start for you. You don't necessarily have to be a pilot to become an astronaut, but having some flight experience will benefit you in the launch and return to Earth. I found it useful." Explaining that language skills are also important, Gezeravcı pointed out that people should work in harmony in space. Gezeravcı said that since astronauts from different countries work together, they speak English as a common language and concluded his words as follows: "With patience, perseverance and passion, you have the potential to achieve everything. Keep dreaming and pursuing your dreams. Our National Defense University, which also includes the Air Force Academy, from which I graduated, is an institution that provides undergraduate and graduate education in accordance with the requirements of the age with modern methods while observing the military tradition. I wish to see you at the schools within the National Defense University."

Antarctic connectivity surprise

TÜBİTAK President Prof. Dr. Hasan Mandal surprised the students with a surprise, and a connection was made to Antarctica.

8th Antarctic Science Expedition Coordinator Prof. Dr. Burcu Özsoy stated that they were on the ship with the expedition team and said, "We are at 62 south latitude. We are at -7 degrees, so we cannot make connections from outside, but we are sailing in the southern ocean with glaciers behind us." Upon Prof. Dr. Mandal's question, Özsoy shared information about the 8th Antarctic Science Expedition and gave details of the 22 projects that will take place during the expedition.

Özsoy reminded that there are no polar bears in Antarctica and noted that there are penguins here and said: "Besides penguins, there are also seals and killer whales in the region. It is necessary not to get closer than 5 meters to the penguins. When we get off the plane, we disinfect our feet with a special solution."

Answering the questions of the students, Özsoy stated that the climatic conditions are challenging, noting that there are glaciers and strong winds passing by the ship, "Weather conditions can change instantly. For this reason, we make meteorological measurements on our campus. We also follow our researchers in the field with radios."

In response to another question, Özsoy explained how the expedition participants undergo a serious training and emphasized, "This job has both legal, social and communication dimensions, as well as behaviors that should and should not be done in the field."

Özsoy noted that they had gained a serious accumulation of knowledge in the previous expeditions during the eighth expedition, and reminded that there were gaps in the maps, noting that they had contributed to the mapping studies. Emphasizing the importance of international cooperation, Özsoy said, "We have cooperation agreements with countries. One of them is Spain. Last year, our Turkish scientist participated in the Spanish expedition. This year, two researchers have joined our expedition. We are witnessing positive processes both with our Turkish scientists and with scientists working on the same subjects. We have been working with Bulgaria for years. We currently have a Turkish scientist on board the Colombian ship. But with the Czech team we met on the plane yesterday, the first steps of three environmental studies have been taken."

Upon the question of Prof. Dr. Ahmet Yozgatlıgil, Deputy Minister of Industry and Technology, Özsoy conveyed the excitement of the researchers and said, "Having a permanent Turkish science base in Antarctica and being able to work in the laboratories here is really valuable for us. The feedback from other countries about the point Turkey has reached makes us incredibly happy. Turkey's success is being talked about. We are ready to transfer this success to new generations."