Türkiye’s space projects facilitate reverse brain drain: Expert

By Zeynep Duyar

ANKARA (AA) – Türkiye’s space projects pave the way for reverse brain drain, with the country’s space sector proving its potential for growth and success, said the coordinator at the European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC).

“I would like to return to Türkiye to work in public, private and academic sectors and bring value to my country, making significant contributions,” Gulin Dede told Anadolu.

Dede said she took part in Türkiye’s space activities prior to her position as a coordinator at the Earth-observing Copernicus program of the European Space Agency (ESA) in the Netherlands.

“I served as an executive board member of the Imece Satellite Project and participated in the draft legislation on the establishment of the Turkish Space Agency (TUA),” she noted.

Dede highlighted that the space sector is a highly risky and costly field with long-term projects and high investment rates and that each country holds different expectations from their own space sectors. As for Türkiye, it is halfway through to success thanks to the establishment of TUA and the country’s national space program, she said.

“Seizing the potential of the youth, Türkiye’s private sector, the many research institutions in the country and its vast and proactive academy sector, Türkiye will be brought to the league of countries leading the space sector by 2030,” she said.

“As someone who has been personally involved in Türkiye’s national space program, since it was my topic of interest for my doctorate thesis, I believe that it has been successful in evaluating the priorities and potentials of our country,” she added.

Dede noted the importance of scientific experiments done in zero gravity, as Türkiye’s first space traveler, Alper Gezeravci, conducted 13 experiments on the International Space Station (ISS).

“These experiments are valuable for expanding our scientific knowledge and innovations and increasing the interest in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) education, as it is important to guide the youth at a time when the world needs innovative solutions in many fields,” she said.

Dede said that international coordination contributes to the advancement of technical competence, resulting in resources being used more efficiently and technology to be shared.

“There needs to be a sort of international coordination in many areas, from space debris to orbital rights, since space law is still in its infancy. Sharing innovations, utilizing satellite data, participating in environmental projects, providing training to Turkish youth living abroad, applying space innovations to other sectors and acting in accordance with the global dynamic instead of national ones will ensure Türkiye’s success in the global space industry.”

*Writing by Emir Yildirim in Istanbul