President Erdogan Wishes Türkiye’s Second Space Traveler Success Ahead of Mission

Ankara, The Gulf Observer: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan extended his best wishes to Türkiye’s second space traveler, Tuva Cihangir Atasever, expressing confidence in his upcoming mission. “You will be our second astronaut, but you won’t be the last,” Erdogan remarked during a live chat with Atasever on Friday.

Atasever is set to launch on Saturday from the Spaceport facility in New Mexico, United States. The conversation with President Erdogan was to check on the preparations for the mission and ensure everything was on track.

During the call, Atasever assured the president of their readiness, crediting his intense training and preparation with Alper Gezeravci, Türkiye’s first astronaut. “With you, our country will now prepare the groundwork for the third manned space mission. I believe this; you are young and dynamic, and you have Alper as your guide. I wish you a successful journey in advance,” Erdogan stated.

Highlighting the symbolic significance of the mission, President Erdogan noted that Atasever would carry the Azerbaijani flag alongside the Turkish flag, due to his Azerbaijani heritage through his mother. “You will represent both brothers,” Erdogan said, reiterating the importance of the mission in line with the motto “two states, one nation.”

President Erdogan’s words underscore the significance of this mission for Türkiye’s burgeoning space program, emphasizing the collaborative spirit between Türkiye and Azerbaijan. The mission is seen as a stepping stone for future space endeavors, marking a significant milestone in Türkiye’s aspirations in space exploration.

As Atasever prepares for his historic journey, the nation looks forward with anticipation and pride, fully supporting his efforts and the broader vision for Türkiye’s space exploration future.