For the First Time, a Turkish Spacefarer is Heading to the International Space Station (ISS) on a Special SpaceX Mission
As planned, the Falcon 9 rocket of the US space company lifted off from a spaceport in Florida. Three spacefarers from Sweden, Italy, and Spain are aboard the rocket, in addition to the Turkish Air Force pilot. They are expected to stay on the ISS for approximately two weeks. Prior to this mission, special crews had flown to the International Space Station in 2022 and 2023. Previously, only individual space tourists were on board the ISS.
The mission sparked widespread interest in Türkiye. President Erdoğan literally described it as "a new symbol of a growing, strengthening and self-confident Türkiye."