In recent days, the 69-year-old head of state has conducted his negotiations only via video link. According to information from his environment, he had a viral infection.
At an event in Istanbul showcasing defense technologies developed in Turkey, Erdogan said that military pilot Alper Gezeravci will be the first person Turkey sends to the International Space Station (ISS).
The pilot will take part in the mission in the last quarter of 2023 and will stay on the ISS for fourteen days, the head of state said. A rocket engineer was chosen as an alternate candidate.
In Turkey, presidential elections will be held in a good two weeks, where the competition between Erdogan and his challenger, Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, is very fierce, so the illness came at the worst time for Erdogan.
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