Under the leadership of the Turkish Space Agency (TUA), a protocol that will set an example for public and non-governmental cooperation was implemented between All Inventors, Invention, Innovation and Research Association (TÜMMİAD) and Valentura Technology and Investment Inc.
Within the scope of the protocol, young people interested in science, technology and space came together in 37 cities of Türkiye for Türkiye’s first space hackathon. In the two-day “TUA Astro Hackathon”, competitors search for solutions to various problems determined in the field of space for 36 hours.
Tomorrow, within the scope of Türkiye’s first national space-themed hackathon, carried out under the coordination of the Ministry of Industry and Technology, the projects of the contestants will be evaluated by each city’s own jury. Then, the top 3 winners from 37 cities will be announced. At a date to be announced later, an evaluation will be made among these teams and the best 3 teams of Türkiye will be determined. The winning teams will be given various awards and support to help them realize their projects.
Participants are working on many topics, from autonomous route optimization for the lunar surface to innovative radiation shielding for communication satellites, to an early warning network for solar storms in regional positioning and timing, from the space industry to orbital dynamics. Additionally, solution suggestions on issues such as new generation space literacy and space station are on the hackathon agenda.
IT WILL BE OPENED TO TURKISH REPUBLICS
TUA Astro Hackathon’s global community leader Koray Hamza Kalaycı told the AA reporter that he has been the local leader of NASA Space Apps Challenges in different locations in Türkiye for 5 years and has pioneered its organization in more cities.
Kalaycı then emphasized that they wanted to organize this event locally and continued as follows:
“We presented this idea to TUA. After receiving the approval of TUA and the authorized units, signatures were signed to hold the event in Turkey, Turkish republics, the Middle East and the Balkans for a 5-year period. Thus, we will lead the establishment of an ecosystem in the field of space in 78 countries under the umbrella of ‘TUA Astro Hackathon’. In this way, we aim to lead the Turkish flag to fly in a wider geography.”
Kalaycı stated that since this year is the first year of the event, they focused only on Türkiye, but they will expand to these regions as well starting next year.
Kalaycı emphasized that the solid foundations laid thanks to the cooperation established with the provincial directorates of the Ministry of National Education, the Ministry of Youth and Sports and local governments were effective in the realization of the organization in a short period of two months, and stated that their meetings with people who had previously operated in the field of space and were leaders in their own countries were continuing.
“WE WILL CONTINUE WITH MORE PARTICIPANTS”
Talha Kaya, Ankara local leader of TUA Astro Hackathon, also explained the process of being selected as a local leader.
Kaya, who informed that he is a senior student at Ankara University Department of Astronomy and Space Sciences, stated that he successfully completed the necessary interviews and was elected as the general leader of Ankara.
Pointing out that NASA has a hackathon in the field of space around the world, Kaya said, “I am proud to be the leader of Türkiye’s first national hackathon in Ankara. My previous work in the field of space and disseminating space to society was effective in my selection for this position. I think that the presence of so many young people interested in space and science in Ankara played an important role in realizing the goals of our National Space Program. Since it was the first year, we limited the number of participants, and we will continue with more participants in the coming years.” he said.
HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS ON DUTY
TEMA College 9th grade student Reyhan Boybaşı also gave information about the project they participated in the competition.
Stating that they have developed a vehicle with a bionic arm and special cameras to overcome obstacles on the lunar surface, Boybaşı said, “Our most striking feature is our wheel design. We thought of hidden pallet systems in each wheel to avoid getting stuck in deep craters. In case of an obstacle, the pallets will be activated to raise the vehicle and ensure that the mapping process continues smoothly.” he said.
