Gathering Focused on the Return to the Moon and Space Exploration

NASA Deputy Associate Administrator Casey Swails and Türkiye’s first astronaut, Alper Gezeravcı, met with students at an event held at our ITU Ayazağa Campus and shared their insights on the future of space exploration, the Artemis Program, and global partnerships.

With a history spanning over 252 years, Istanbul Technical University continues to bring leading figures in the world of science and technology together with its students. This time, ITU hosted the “Gateway to the Stars” event on December 16, 2025, marking a new era in space exploration.

ITU welcomed NASA Deputy Associate Administrator Casey Swails and Türkiye’s first astronaut, Alper Gezeravcı, to the ITU Ayazağa Campus. Held at the Süleyman Demirel Cultural Center (SDCC) under the title “Gateway to the Stars: NASA’s Artemis Generation and Global Partnerships,” the event brought together experts in aviation and space, the Technopark and innovation ecosystems, project teams, and students across two sessions.

The importance of joint solutions to global challenges

Prof. Dr. Hasan Mandal, Rector of Istanbul Technical University, who delivered the opening remarks at the seminar, emphasized the vital importance of international cooperation in space missions. Emphasizing that space research is not merely a technical process but a collective effort, Prof. Dr. Mandal stated, “We will manage, complete, and succeed together. This will not be the achievement of a single country, but a shared success of multiple nations and humanity.”

Addressing the challenges of such large-scale projects, Prof. Dr. Mandal noted that in today’s world, numerous challenges—from climate change to energy, and from geopolitical uncertainties to technological transformation—are interconnected. He stated that the global nature of these challenges necessitates a science-and-technology-driven collaborative approach to finding solutions.

Noting the student teams filling the auditorium, Prof. Dr. Mandal said, “We are all excited because we have hope. This is not just hope for this space mission, but also for the successes we will achieve through our collective talents.”

Rector Prof. Dr. Mandal concluded his remarks by thanking the Ministry of Industry and Technology, NASA Deputy Associate Administrator Casey Swails for his contribution to the event, astronaut Alper Gezeravcı, and Gökhan Erdem, Türkiye’s third astronaut, who attended the event.

A new era in space with the Artemis Program

Following the opening remarks, NASA Deputy Associate Administrator Casey Swails took the stage and delivered a comprehensive presentation on the goals of the Artemis Program and humanity’s future in space. Swails emphasized that Artemis represents not only a return to the Moon but also a vision for sustainable exploration, noting that long-duration missions on the lunar surface, deep space exploration, and crewed missions to Mars form the cornerstones of this process.

Highlighting the importance of international cooperation, Swails said, “This time, our goal is not just to go to the Moon and return, but to establish a permanent presence there. This journey is not that of a single country; it is a shared journey of all humanity acting in scientific cooperation.” He noted that the technologies developed under the Artemis program provide a critical infrastructure for future deep-space missions.

Later in the event, Türkiye’s first astronaut, Alper Gezeravcı, shared the experiences he gained during his space missions with the participants. Gezeravcı noted that Türkiye’s progress in the space sector has resulted in an inspiring transformation for young people, emphasizing that crewed space missions are not only a technical achievement but also a significant indicator of scientific confidence and national vision.

During the event’s Q&A session, participants had the opportunity to directly ask the speakers questions regarding the Artemis missions, life in space, the challenges of crewed missions, and future exploration plans. The program concluded with a shared emphasis on the importance of collaborations with the Turkish Space Agency and the need to strengthen scientific cooperation.

ITU project teams presented their work

As part of the program, ITU project teams active in the fields of space, aviation, and advanced technology also presented their work. At booths set up in the lobby, students shared the projects they are working on with attendees, while Rector Prof. Dr. Hasan Mandal noted that these efforts are resonating with young people. Prof. Dr. Mandal emphasized that ITU contributes to the country’s scientific capacity across a wide range of fields, from space technologies to observation and support systems, and from CubeSat projects to deep space research.