4 ms·

Is Turkey even an ESA member? I don't think it's clear they'd be welcomed. This seems like a sensible way for them to dip their toes into having a space program

• mrtksn 3y ago
  The Turkish one is essentially for propaganda, being "the first Turk in space" right before the elections(although he is supposed to run some experiments for the Turkish Universities). It's still nice though, maybe will inspire some kids to pursue careers in science but there's an ongoing debate in Turkey if he is just a space tourist(it's complicated). A fun thing is, He is from the secular demographic and his firsts words were to commemorate Ataturk and the islamists and seculars instantly switched place; Now the pro-government people say He is a space tourist and the secular opposition says he is a hero :)
  • atahanacar 3y ago
    >He is from the secular demographic This is an understatement. He was purged from the military and jailed by Islamists/Gülenists/Erdoğan using fabricated evidence and cultist judges, for "attempting a secularist coup". I don't think it is "essentially" for propaganda. This would happen regardless, propaganda is just a side-benefit. Saying that he's "just a space tourist" would be like calling scientists that go to Antarctica for experiments "polar tourists". It is definitely overblown by the government media though.