Astronauts Return After Orbiting the Earth 4,576 Times in Nine Months
NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry “Butch” Wilmore were sent on a one-week test mission to the International Space Station (ISS) in June 2024. However, this short mission turned into a 9-month marathon due to technical issues. On March 18, 2025, the duo finally returned to Earth after spending 286 days in space, during which they not only survived but also conducted significant experiments in the name of science. From growing plants in microgravity to working with autonomous robots, they carried out critical research in various fields.
Spending such an extended time in space was certainly no easy task. The months spent performing regular maintenance on the ISS, conducting repairs, and completing challenging spacewalks tested the astronauts’ physical and mental endurance. Williams also broke the record for the most spacewalks performed by a female astronaut. Furthermore, to prevent muscle and bone loss, they worked out for two hours each day to stay healthy. When they finally returned to Earth, their faces showed signs of exhaustion but also pride. This experience has provided invaluable knowledge for future long-duration space missions. 🚀
Turkish Scientist’s Space-Based Disaster Management Project Goes Global!
Turkey’s space agency, TUA, is a member of the Asia-Pacific Space Cooperation Organization (APSCO), which recently supported a space-based disaster management project developed by Turkish scientist Dr. Enes Yıldırım at the 2025 Progress Plan Committee Meeting. The project, named KARFIS, focuses on flood risk forecasting and management, analyzing images from satellites like Sentinel and Landsat to show citizens the flood risks in their regions. Users will be able to examine regional flood scenarios, estimate possible costs, and assess the actions they can take to protect their properties.
The first scalable version of the system will be developed for the Black Sea region and will later be adapted for other countries. Yıldırım highlighted that no system of this scale exists even in the U.S. and emphasized that they have requested a $270,000 budget from APSCO, which is crucial for preventing large-scale disasters. With maps showing safe evacuation routes and integrating early warning systems, citizens will be able to act proactively in the event of a flood. The project, set to be completed within two years, aims to combine space technologies with disaster management to create a globally exemplary system. 🌍🚀
Fergani Space Will Launch Another Satellite into Space!
Fergani Space announced that it will launch another satellite in 2025. Founded by Selçuk Bayraktar in 2022, the company had already launched its first satellite, FGN-100-d1, into space in January with SpaceX. Speaking at the Satellite 2025 conference in the United States, Fergani Space Consultant Arif Karabeyoğlu outlined the company’s new goals. Karabeyoğlu stated that Fergani is working on three major projects: team satellites, orbit transfer vehicles, and launch systems, emphasizing the role of young engineers in these projects. He also pointed out that the average age of the company’s team is 26, praising the remarkable talent in Turkey’s youth.
The new satellite, set to be launched this year, will be used to test Fergani’s developed technologies. Additionally, Turkey’s first orbit transfer vehicle will also be sent into space this year and will be tested by the end of the year. Karabeyoğlu revealed that this vehicle will feature Turkey’s first large space engine to be tested in orbit and will also be the world’s first hybrid rocket engine to be fired in orbit. “No company in the world has done this before,” Karabeyoğlu said, adding that Fergani plans to launch more satellites next year and aims to place its team satellites in orbit by 2027-2028.
This Week on Our Art Corner: Gökevi Hayalet Gezileri
This week, we invite you to a mesmerizing journey among the stars with Gökevi Hayalet Gezileri (Ghost Journeys in the Sky). The story is told from the perspective of a child who visits different planets, recording their silent landscapes now buried in sleep. Throughout the journey, the protagonist encounters forgotten civilizations, ghosts, and unknown beings, discovering the unique secrets of each planet. This work, questioning loneliness, discovery, and the search for meaning in the depths of the universe, takes readers on both a visual and emotional journey. As we wander through planets carrying the traces of time, we find ourselves confronting the endless mysteries of the stars. If you want to listen to the unknown stories of the sky and lose yourself in different dimensions, this book is for you!
