Summary of the speeches, important parts marked normal font, keypoints are marked with bold.
6. Ulusal Antarktika Bilim Seferinde Kullanılacak Milli Teknolojilerin Tanıtım ve Teslim Töreni Yapıldı
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Presentation and Delivery Ceremony of National Technologies to be Used in the 6th National Antarctic Science Expedition Minister of Industry and Technology Mustafa Varank, Ankara Governor Vasip Şahin, President of the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TÜBİTAK). Dr. Hasan Mandal, TUBITAK Marmara Research Center Polar Research Institute (MAM-KARE) Director and Expedition Coordinator Prof. Dr. Burcu Özsoy, TÜBİTAK SAGE Manager Gürcan Okumuş, ASELSAN Chairman and General Manager Prof. Dr. Haluk Görgün, HAVELSAN General Manager Dr. Mehmet Akif Acar and TÜRKSAT Satellite Services Deputy General Manager Dr. It was held at TÜBİTAK Feza Gürsey Conference Hall with the participation of Selman Demirel.
"Our goal is to gain the "Consultant Country" status in the Antarctic Treaty, to wave our flag there and to have a say in the future of the white continent"
Speaking at the ceremony, Minister of Industry and Technology Mustafa Varank pointed out that efforts are being made to build a great and powerful Turkey in many fields from the defense industry to digital technologies, from electric vehicles to space studies. Minister Varank said, “Polar research is one of the important activities we carry out with this vision.” said.
Varank said, “Our goal is to gain the “Consultant Country” status in the Antarctic Treaty, to wave our flag there and to have a say in the future of the white continent.” used the phrases.
Reminding that five scientific expeditions have been organized to the continent since 2017, Minister Varank noted that on January 22, a sixth expedition will be launched with a team of 20 people. Varank said, “I am aware that this is a very exciting process for those who are passionate about polar sciences. Believe me, I'm just as excited as you are." He used his expressions and stated that he wanted to join the polar expedition, "I hope to go on an expedition after the Ministry." he wished.
“I am proud that our country is at the forefront of polar studies”
Pointing out that the poles are very important areas that shed light on the past and present of the world, as a natural laboratory, Minister Varank said, “Every discovery to be made here is very valuable in terms of understanding nature, living things and the earth. The solution to many problems, especially climate change, is actually hidden here. “Therefore, I am proud that our country is at the forefront of these studies, which may have results that concern the whole world.” said.
Stating that the team will have a difficult journey of about one and a half months, Varank said, “The love of science is actually like this! Taking all kinds of difficulties, leaving their families, and being able to sign new discoveries on behalf of our country and humanity. On this occasion, once again, I congratulate them wholeheartedly. I wish them to go home safely and achieve very successful results.” used the phrases.
“Just as we are sending off our polar explorers on an expedition today, we will send off our astronauts to space in the very near future”
Minister Varank said, “Just as we are sending off our polar researchers to an expedition today, we will send our astronauts to space in the very near future. We strongly believe in this.” made the emphasis.
Noting that during the expedition, detailed research will be carried out within the scope of 14 projects carried out in the fields of Earth Sciences, Life Sciences and Physical Sciences, Minister Varank emphasized that the projects will be carried out in cooperation with 29 institutions.
“Our international collaborations also show how far we have come in the polar research we have just started”
Underlining the international cooperation, Minister Varank said, “Two foreign researchers, one from Portugal and one from Bulgaria, were included in the team. Our 2 Turkish researchers are already working at a station belonging to South Korea. This fact shows how far we have come in polar research, which we have only just begun.” said.
“We offer many technological products developed with the spirit of the National Technology Move and domestic facilities to the service of the expedition team to be tested”
Varank said, “We offer many technological products developed with the spirit of the National Technology Move and domestic facilities to the service of the expedition team for testing. I personally find this step very valuable for the future of polar studies and many other scientific research projects.” He drew attention to the importance of the expedition with his statements.
Pointing out that the works in the poles are carried out under very difficult weather conditions, Minister Varank said, “Therefore, the competence of the machinery and equipment to be used here is very important both in terms of the safety of the team and the quality of the works. Therefore, if you are foreign-dependent for this machinery and equipment, the sustainability of your work is at great risk. If you constantly buy them from outside, a great cost will arise. More importantly, the places where you supply these technological products can easily end their supply to you. Polar research also has a great potential both in terms of the economic value it can produce and in terms of prestige. Therefore, there is intense international competition here. Your competitors, who see that your work has reached a certain stage,You cannot guarantee that he will not resort to such a means to disrupt it.” he said.
“We will produce high-tech machinery and equipment to be used by our teams in these expeditions, with domestic and national means”
“Here, we are blending our pole studies with our national technology vision to strengthen our country's claim that 'I'm here too' in this field. We include polar studies in the steps we take with the aim of making our country a producer of critical technologies, not a market.” Varank said, “We have developed important collaborations with the star institutions of our satellite, communication, aviation and defense industry. Thus, we will produce high-tech machinery and equipment to be used by our teams in these expeditions, with domestic and national resources.” used the phrases.
Varank noted that this effect will not only be limited to polar studies and will spread to many other areas, especially the defense industry and information and communication technologies. Finally, Minister Varank shared the details by stating that very important products and services developed by 5 valuable institutions will accompany the team this time.
“TUBITAK; It has been operating for a long time in order for Turkey to have a say in the future of Antarctica and the Arctic and in the protection of the poles.
Making the opening speech, TÜBİTAK President Prof. Dr. In his speech, Hasan Mandal emphasized that climate change and environmental problems have affected the world and Turkey more in recent years and mentioned that it is impossible to solve these problems with a single discipline and a single point of view due to their complex, dynamic and variable nature. prof. Dr. Mandal stated that as TÜBİTAK, they have produced solutions to these complex, dynamic and variable problems with the understanding of "working together, developing together and achieving together", which allows different disciplines to work together.
Stating that TÜBİTAK has been carrying out activities for a long time in order to have a say in the future of Turkey, Antarctica and the Arctic, and in the protection of the poles, Mandal said that in 2017, Turkey was under the auspices of the Presidency in order to be among the leading countries in scientific research and technology production. He reminded that he organized the first national science expedition to Antarctica under the responsibility of the Ministry of Industry and Technology. Stating that with the establishment of TUBITAK Marmara Research Center Polar Research Institute (MAM KARE) in 2019, studies in the field of poles gained a different dimension, TUBITAK President Prof. Dr. Hasan Mandal said, “With the establishment of TÜBİTAK MAM KARE, we coordinated our science expeditions to the Arctic regions in line with the National Polar Science Program.We started to implement it together with our Ministry of Industry and Technology.” used the phrases.
“Thermal cells developed with domestic and national resources have eliminated foreign dependency in our defense industry”
Mandal also mentioned the importance of the sixth expedition, which will be held on January 22, and emphasized that different institutions and organizations of our country supported the expedition with national products. prof. Dr. Mandal stated that "thermal batteries", which are among these products and developed by TUBITAK with domestic and national resources, eliminate foreign dependency in our defense industry. Stating that the thermal batteries developed by the TÜBİTAK Defense Industry Research and Development Institute (SAGE) will provide many advantages by using them in the Science Expedition, Mandal said, “Thanks to the heat energy to be obtained from these batteries, the heating and liquid water needs of the research team in emergencies will be met.” said.
Pointing out that thermal batteries are distinguished from their alternatives with their long shelf life, maintenance-free, high energy supply in short periods, rapid triggering, non-exhaustion, high reliability, wide operating temperature range, and resistance to harsh environmental conditions, Mandal said, “The performance expected from it even at -90 degrees. "Thermal batteries that can provide power, will perform their duties without any problems, especially in emergency situations, in the extremely cold climate conditions of Antarctica, where other battery technologies cannot work." made a statement. Emphasizing that thermal batteries, which can be stored for more than 20 years in Antarctic conditions with their long shelf life, can maintain their initial energy level even after 20 years without the need for any maintenance, TÜBİTAK President Prof. Dr. Mandal, all their work in this field,He stated that it shows that Turkey has turned into a country that produces and develops these technologies with its own resources, rather than a country that follows technological developments.
Underlining that as TÜBİTAK, they aim to develop and produce these technologies as well as to create qualified human resources that will carry out studies in this field, Mandal said that for this purpose, they organized the "Polar Festival", Polar Sciences Workshops, and the 2204-C High School Students Pole Research Projects Competition, which they carried out within the scope of TEKNOFEST, to support the young people's projects in this field. said they supported it.
Finally, Mandal thanked all organizations that provided critical technologies that Turkey needed, Anadolu Agency that would provide communication support in the Science Expedition, and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Minister of Industry and Technology Mustafa Varank, who never spared their support in the studies.
Expedition Coordinator Prof. Dr. Burcu Özsoy shared the details of the expedition
Sharing the details of the expedition with the 6th National Antarctic Science Expedition Presentation, TÜBİTAK MAM Polar Research Institute (KARE) Director and Expedition Coordinator Prof. Dr. Burcu Özsoy gave information about the expedition that will take place between January 22 and March 3, 2022. Emphasizing that the expedition will take place under COVID-19 measures, Özsoy shared details of a total of 14 projects, which will be carried out in collaboration with 29 different institutions, seven of which are in the field of Life Sciences, four in Earth Sciences and three in the field of Physical Sciences.
Touching on foreign collaborations, Prof. Dr. Özsoy said, “Two Turkish researchers continue their work at South Korea's King Sejong Antarctic Station, and one researcher from Bulgaria and Portugal will take part with us in the Sixth National Antarctic Science Expedition.” shared his knowledge.
TÜBİTAK SAGE thermal cells will contribute in difficult conditions
“Our thermal battery, for which we have all the design, development and production capabilities as SAGE, is on its way to take part in the 6th National Antarctic Science Expedition in the arctic region where harsh environmental conditions prevail,” said TÜBİTAK Defense Industry Research and Development Institute (SAGE) Manager. Gürcan Okumuş emphasized the high-tech thermal batteries developed and produced by Turkish engineers locally and nationally, with features such as advanced reliability, a shelf life of at least 25 years, no maintenance, and rapid triggering.
Okumuş said, “The batteries, which are an alternative power source with their ability to function at full capacity at extremely low temperatures such as -90°C, are used in Antarctica, the coldest point of the world and known for its harsh climatic conditions, in case of urgent, fast and reliable electrical energy need, It will be ready for use and will contribute to scientific research and development.” said.
Radio support from ASELSAN to the Antarctic team
Haluk Görgün, Chairman of the Board of Directors and General Manager of ASELSAN, said that they follow the works carried out in Antarctica under the leadership of TÜBİTAK on behalf of Turkey with great excitement, curiosity and pride.
Stating that as ASELSAN, they have sent Radio and Modular Mobile Repeater Radio systems to Antarctica for testing and use, Görgün noted that communication products developed with domestic and national resources and tested under the most difficult conditions will be reliable supporters of scientists in a very challenging field. Pointing out that the 3700 handheld radios, which they sent to Antarctica with 15 design awards, are among the most successful communication products of ASELSAN in its class, Görgün said, "Our radios will add a new one to their success in many challenging environments in the world, and will be the companions of our teams in the harsh environment of the arctic." said.
Görgün added that the "Portable Hybrid Power Support Unit", which produces energy with high-efficiency solar panels and can be installed by two people, will provide energy support to scientists in Antarctica, where there is no electricity infrastructure.
HAVELSAN introduced its GNSS receiver
HAVELSAN General Manager Mehmet Akif Nacar also reminded that they held the first meetings with TÜBİTAK MAM KARE officials at TEKNOFEST 2021 and underlined that they developed the HAVELSAN GNSS receiver in a short period of 4 months and that it will be used for the first time in the national polar expedition in Antarctica.
Stating that HAVELSAN GNSS receiver calculates location and provides global coverage by using satellites of many different countries such as GPS, Galileo, Beidu, Glonass, QZSS, Nacar said, "HAVELSAN GNSS receiver offers uninterrupted working performance with real-time location, speed and time information." used the phrase.
Minister Varank delivered the products to the expedition team
After the speeches, products expedition coordinator Prof. Dr. Delivering it to Burcu Özsoy, Minister Varank said, “Developing these technologies and being able to try them in the field gives our institutions a great advantage. You know the difference when you bring tried products to market today. I care very much that our companies test their products. ASELSAN, HAVELSAN and SAGE will perform one of the most difficult tests in Antarctica. Hopefully, if we can establish a permanent base, we will go there and test it together.” used the phrases.
