Turkey‘s first astronaut is about to depart the International Space Station on Tuesday, after spending 17 days on the orbiting laboratory as a part of a personal mission.

Alper Gezeravci, a 44-year-old fighter pilot with the Turkish Air Force, and three fellow astronauts have been on the Axiom-3 mission, which launched aboard a SpaceX rocket on January 20 from Nasa’s Kennedy Space Centre in Cape Canaveral, Florida.

Their return to Earth was initially scheduled for February 3, however a storm growing off the coast of Florida led to that being postponed.

SpaceX is now concentrating on Tuesday – relying on the climate.

“I deeply feel the value and responsibility of this moment as we expand the boundaries of science and discovery in the light of our rising star,” Mr Gezeravci posted on X on Sunday, together with a selfie in entrance of the cupola, the house station’s panoramic window.

“We will wait a little longer to return to Earth. I look forward to returning to my country to add value to the steps our country has taken in the field of science and technology with the experiences I have gained in this unique journey.”

Where to look at the return journey

SpaceX, Nasa and Axiom Space will broadcast the return journey on their web sites and social media, with the undocking of the SpaceX Dragon capsule scheduled for about 6.05pm, UAE time.

SpaceX and Axiom Space will resume protection for re-entry into Earth and splashdown. The period of the journey and touchdown time can be revealed as soon as the astronauts have departed.

Space botany and different experiments

Mr Gezeravci carried out 13 experiments whereas aboard the ISS that have been despatched to him by universities and medical amenities throughout Turkey.

Bogazici University in Istanbul despatched a research with him that investigated the expansion and endurance of microalgae species in microgravity circumstances.

The astronaut famous down the findings, which can assist researchers measure the microalgae’s metabolic modifications and potential for all times assist methods.

Another experiment Gezeravci carried out was from Hacettepe University in Ankara. This measured the affect of house journey and radiation on the physique’s immune system, on the degree of myeloid-deprived suppressor cells.

These cells forestall the immune system from turning into overactive, which might result in autoimmune illnesses.

The immune system of astronauts will get affected by radiation, so researchers can check how the cells behave in microgravity circumstances, serving to to realize extra perception.

More entry to house

The journey to the house station was organized by Axiom Space, a Houston-based firm that’s growing an area station and units up missions to the ISS.

It additionally helped to rearrange UAE astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi’s six-month mission to the ISS, from March to September final yr.

Axiom Space helped to arrange Saudi Arabia’s mission to house final yr, during which Rayyanah Barnawi – the primary Arab lady to hold out an area mission – and Ali Al Qarni accomplished eight days on the ISS.

The firm lately signed a cope with the UK Space Agency to ship 4 UK astronauts on a personal mission.

Updated: February 06, 2024, 3:00 AM