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NASA astronaut Deniz Burnham, born at Incirlik Air Base in Adana, Turkey, said she expects to travel to the International Space Station within a few months. In a video shared by the U.S. Consulate in Adana, she said she is training for the long-duration Expedition 76 mission and plans to wave from orbit to her grandparents, fellow Adana residents and people around the world.

Burnham said her grandparents live in Turkey, with her grandmother originally from Eceabat in Canakkale and her grandfather from Afyonkarahisar. Recalling a childhood that included Turkish food, she credited her grandfather’s enthusiasm for space with influencing the family. He built his own telescopes, she said, and they spent hours observing stars and planets in their backyard.

Burnham also welcomed Turkey as the 71st country to sign the Artemis Accords, describing its participation as part of a growing international commitment to peaceful, transparent space exploration. She highlighted Turkey’s two astronauts and progress on AYAP-1, its planned first lunar mission. Speaking on NASA’s behalf, she expressed pride in Turkey joining the accords and enthusiasm about what they could achieve together in the coming years.

Key Takeaways

• Burnham says she is training for Expedition 76 and expects to reach the ISS within months.
• The Adana-born astronaut credited her grandfather with inspiring her family’s interest in space.
• She welcomed Turkey’s Artemis Accords membership and highlighted its space program.