Displays a new showcase celebrating the aviation history of Turkey
In the Same Spirit Since Hezarfen: A Celebration of Turkey's Aviation and Space Legacy
A new exhibition titled "In the Same Spirit Since Hezarfen" has opened at the Galata Tower in Istanbul, marking a significant milestone in the celebration of Turkey's aviation and space heritage. The exhibition, part of the Culture and Tourism Ministry's efforts to make the Galata Tower a hub for cultural and scientific events, showcases the stories and achievements of influential figures in Turkish aviation, including Hezarfen Ahmed Çelebi, a legendary 17th-century Ottoman aviator.
The exhibition attracts considerable attention on its opening day, with Galata Tower Museum Director Murat Bozcu officiating a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Alper Gezeravcı, Turkey's first astronaut, was presented with a symbolic key to the Galata Tower during the ceremony.
Gezeravcı, who visited the U.S. during preparations for Turkey's first manned space mission in 2023, felt immense pride when asked about Turkey's UAVs, armed drones, and fifth-generation fighter jet development. He emphasized the symbolic significance of the Galata Tower, known for the legendary flight of Hezarfen Ahmed Çelebi, and highlighted the Tower's role as a center for science and culture.
The exhibition features a special section on Turkey's domestically developed aerospace technologies, including the success of Turksat 6A, the country's first domestically developed communications satellite, which successfully completed its first year in orbit (as of mid-2025). Launched via SpaceX in July 2024, Turksat 6A is designed for a lifespan of over 15 years and expands Turkey's communication satellite constellation to six. It supports TV broadcasting and emergency communications across a wide area.
Turkey's ongoing space ambitions are comprehensive, aiming to position the country as a regional space power with capabilities spanning satellite systems, lunar missions, and indigenous launch technologies. Launched in 2021, Turkey’s 10-year strategic national space plan emphasizes lunar exploration, development of indigenous satellite technologies, autonomous satellite launch capabilities, and establishment of a regional Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) known as BKZS. This system aims to provide sovereign Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) capabilities primarily for Turkey and surrounding regions, enhancing both military and civilian applications such as smart transportation and disaster management.
What once seemed like a daring dream has now become part of Turkey's national identity, according to Alper Gezeravcı. He stated that the exhibition symbolizes the step-by-step actions taken by Turkey to realize plans for shaping the future, with aspirations in land, sea, air, and space. The exhibition marks the celebration of a legacy that reaches from the roots of Turkey to the skies, symbolizing a modern continuation of pioneering spirit linked to historical figures like Hezarfen Çelebi.
Visitors can explore the exhibition until Oct. 1, experiencing the rich history and ongoing innovations in Turkish aviation and space exploration. The Galata Tower, with its iconic silhouette overlooking Istanbul, serves as a fitting backdrop to this celebration of Turkey's aerospace achievements and aspirations.
- The special section within the "In the Same Spirit Since Hezarfen" exhibition focuses on Turkey's advancements in space-and-astronomy, specifically showcasing the success of domestically developed aerospace technologies such as the Turksat 6A satellite.
- Turkey's space-and-astronomy journey, aimed at becoming a regional space power, consists of developing satellite systems, lunar missions, indigenous launch technologies, and the BKZS Global Navigation Satellite System – all part of the country's 10-year strategic national space plan, which was launched in 2021.
