Turkey's first cosmonauts Alper Gezeravci and Tuva Jihangir Atasever are ready to carry out their mission. They announced this at the world's largest aviation, space and technology festival TEKNOFEST in Izmir.

Their flight into space is timed to coincide with the 100th anniversary of the formation of Turkey.

The cosmonauts plan to take with them the flag of the republic, which was presented to them by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on the day of the announcement of the composition of the first Turkish mission to space — April 29, 2023.

As Alper Gezeravci admitted, his suitcase will also contain items representing the culture of the Yoruk people to which he belongs, the veil of the F-16 squadron, where he first performed his duty.

They will also take photos of family members.

The members of the first Turkish mission to space have already modeled a number of tasks that an astronaut has to face in his daily life.

"I expect to conduct various experiments and return. My suitcase is always ready," said Tuva Jihangir Atasever.

ORIENT news