Story By: Ana Marjanovic, Sub-Editor: Michael Leidig, Agency: Newsflash
A man who went out of this world on social media when he sailed into the air clinging to a cafe umbrella has volunteered to be the first Turk in space.
Sadik Kocadalli hit the headlines in March 2019 when footage of him taking off standing on an umbrella base outside a cafe went viral.
Now Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has launched the hunt for the country’s first astronaut.
He said on 23rd May: “We are officially starting the process of sending a Turkish citizen into space within the scope of our National Space Programme.
“On the 100th anniversary of the Republic of Turkey in 2023, there will be a Turk in space.”
Turkey has started accepting submissions from citizens to serve aboard the International Space Station (ISS) for 10 days.
Two budding astronauts will be selected and all candidates must be born after 23rd May 1977, be able to speak English, and have studied Engineering, Basic Sciences, or Medicine for at least four years in a higher education institute.
Candidates will also have to undergo a medical examination and pass all physical requirements.
Kocadalli said that he has put his hat in the ring as he would love to become Turkey’s first space traveller.
Although he admits he falls short on some qualifications, he has already experienced lift off.
The market grocer, dubbed the ‘flying umbrella man’, told local media: “Our President is choosing some Turks to go to space.
“I became famous as a flying man so now I want to go into space too.
“It would be great if Mr President sends me into space as well. I fit some of the criteria, other parts not, but I will try to fix the requirements I do not meet.”
Other market traders have backed Kocadalli’s candidacy. Vegetable salesman Mehmet Sabap said: “I support my friend. Let him go into space, we would be very excited as his friends and he will comply with the criteria to go.”
