Turkey’s First Domestic Satellite FGN-100-d1 in Space!
On January 13, 2025, a historic day for Turkey’s space history was recorded. Turkey’s first domestic satellite, FGN-100-d1, was successfully launched into space as part of the Fergani project under the leadership of Baykar Chairman Selçuk Bayraktar. Positioned in a low Earth orbit at an altitude of approximately 500-600 kilometers, this satellite will serve critical areas such as communication, geolocation, maritime, and the Internet of Things (IoT). This great achievement is considered a step towards strengthening Turkey’s independence in space technologies.
FGN-100-d1 is not only a technological success but also a symbol that expands Turkey’s space vision. The satellite, offering technological solutions in line with the Artemis programs, has attracted great international interest. This development shows that Turkey will undertake even bigger projects in the future and is inspiring young engineers and scientists. This exciting step towards becoming a key player in space with domestic production fills us with pride.
Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Are Creating a Transformation in Space Research
A study published on January 12, 2025, highlighted how artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning are transforming space research. NASA’s Perseverance rover on Mars is using AI to make autonomous decisions, avoid obstacles, and collect rock samples. These operations, conducted without human intervention, ensure that Mars exploration missions progress more efficiently and reliably. Additionally, the European Space Agency’s Mars Express mission has reduced its workload by 50% and successfully prevented memory clashes with AI-powered solutions.
These developments reveal the crucial role of AI and machine learning in space research. The use of autonomous technologies enables time and resource savings while allowing more reliable operations. In the future, AI and machine learning-based systems will undoubtedly help us make more discoveries in space. The possibilities offered by these technologies are opening the doors to discoveries and advancements that were once unimaginable.
Blue Origin Is Starting a New Era in Space Tourism: Reaching Orbit for the First Time
On January 16, 2025, Blue Origin made an important milestone with a successful launch in space travel. Founded by Jeff Bezos, the company’s New Shepard rocket reached orbit for the first time. Launched from a spaceport in Texas, the rocket ascended to 100 kilometers, and astronauts experienced weightlessness for several minutes. This moment is recorded as a major step in space tourism and commercial space transportation. As the astronauts watched the inclined view of Earth, it provided a concrete example that reaching space is becoming an easier feat for humanity.
Blue Origin’s achievement of reaching orbit provides the company with a significant advantage in the space race, particularly against competitors such as SpaceX. This development holds great potential, not only in space tourism but also in commercial space transportation. The company is expected to undertake more ambitious projects for space missions in the upcoming years. Taking more people to space, creating new commercial markets, and making space more accessible for humanity are key components of Blue Origin’s vision.
This Week in Our Art Corner: “The Three-Body Problem”
This week’s space-themed reading recommendation is Cixin Liu’s The Three-Body Problem. This novel explores the first contact with extraterrestrial civilizations and captivates readers with deep philosophical and scientific discussions about the universe. The book delves into humanity’s attempt to communicate with another civilization and the chaos this interaction causes, profoundly impacting humanity. Full of inquiries about the existence of other civilizations in space, this novel goes beyond being just a science fiction work, sparking deep reflections on humanity and the universe. If you’re looking for a space-themed read, The Three-Body Problem is an impressive choice.
