Retired NASA astronaut inspires youth with space exploration advice in Ankara

By Busranur Koca and Gokhan Celiker

Retired NASA astronaut Dorothy Marie "Dottie" Metcalf-Lindenburger has advised young generations to "make sure you challenge yourself."

Speaking as a guest speaker at the Middle East Technical University (METU) seminar titled "Launching Your Big Dreams," Metcalf-Lindenburger answered questions from Anadolu reporters.

Metcalf-Lindenburger mentioned that she initially thought going to space was a bit crazy due to the G-force and vibrations she felt during her first space experience. Still, she emphasized the "incredible feeling" of being in a weightless environment after the shuttle reached orbit.

She stated, "When you glide out of your seatbelt and realize you are now in space, it's a wonderful feeling, especially when you have time to look out the window. Seeing both Earth and the stars, including the Milky Way, is amazing."

- Witnessing space activities in Türkiye

Metcalf-Lindenburger mentioned that she had the opportunity to witness space activities in Türkiye. Reminding that a Turkish astronaut will go to space next year as part of the celebrations for the 100th anniversary of the Republic of Türkiye, Metcalf-Lindenburger said, "Looking forward, thinking about ways to improve life in your country and using these technologies to venture into space is truly exciting."

She expressed her excitement about visiting Türkiye for the first time and praised Ankara as a beautiful city and Türkiye as a beautiful country.
She congratulated Türkiye on its 100th anniversary and the launch of its first astronaut.

- 'Space tourism is exciting, something different'

Metcalf-Lindenburger highlighted the interest in space tourism, even though it is not widespread today, stating, "(Space tourism) I was impressed by what I saw in this regard because people who go to space are coming back and sharing their experiences. They are thinking about ways to improve life on Earth further.

In every sense, it's exciting, something different. It's a different way of going to space than mine, but I'm really happy about such opportunities and want to see how it progresses."

- 'Make sure you challenge yourself'

Metcalf-Lindenburger mentioned her participation in TEKNOFEST in Izmir and emphasized that the event positively impacted her. She also stressed the importance of TEKNOFEST in encouraging not only the new generation of scientists and engineers but also those who understand and support them.

Expressing her satisfaction with being invited to TEKNOFEST, Metcalf-Lindenburger said, "I think it's very important to truly encourage the new generation of scientists, engineers, and those who work in mathematics and technology, or even those who don't work in these fields but just understand them."

She advised children who aspire to become astronauts in the future always to be curious and seek to learn something new. The retired astronaut said, "Make sure you challenge yourself. So, work hard in your studies and be brave enough to try things you are not sure about but are curious and excited about."

- Who is Dorothy Metcalf-Lindenburger?

Retired American astronaut Dorothy Marie "Dottie" Metcalf-Lindenburger was born on May 2, 1975. She became the first person among female graduates of Space Camp in 2004 to successfully become an astronaut.
She served as a specialist on the STS-131 mission in April 2010, aimed at sending a shuttle to the International Space Station.

Metcalf-Lindenburger and her team work on developing techniques for spacewalk simulations and asteroid exploration that can be applied to space research and investigation.

She regularly gives speeches worldwide to promote STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) education.

*Writing by Alperen Aktas