Defence Turkey: Mr. Celal Sami Tüfekçi, first of all we would like to thank you for your time. This time last year you were appointed to a new position. Could you please briefly assess the developments that occurred since your appointment and Turkey’s space travel? 

When I was appointed to my current position in July 2014, “Göktürk-1” satellite’s transfer to Turkey was in the agenda and on May 7, we transferred the satellite to Turkey. This has been a prominent step for us. Moreover, we have accomplished the opening of the Space Systems Assembly Integration and Test (AIT) Center under the auspices of our President Mr. Recep TayyipErdoğan on May 21stat the premises of TAI. In my opinion, both the opening of the AIT Center and the transfer of the satellite to Turkey should be considered as milestones for Turkey. I assess these developments as the first steps of Turkey’s progress towards becoming one of the spacefaring countries that have important roles in space systems. We are conducting our remaining projects as well; however the greatest step for us has been the transfer of “Göktürk-1” satellite to Turkey.