Conquering the skies: Turkish couple set eyes on space
Fatih and Eren Özmen are seen at an event with Harrison Ford |
Thousands of people have moved from Turkey and to the U.S., and vice versa, for one reason or another over the years. However, Eren and Fatih Özmen’s journey puts a futuristic spin on a real-life, Hollywood-style success story. Unlike the stereotypical smart man and supporting wife scenario, this unique couple has advanced together on the road to success in space technologies through mutually driven business genius and intellectual cooperation.
The Özmens say that following your dreams is crucial to finding success.
The couple started off in Kırşehir in the capital city of Ankara and later moved to
the U.S. However, their professional journey got its inspiration at the Reno Campus of the University of Nevada
where they studied aeronautics and space simply by chance. After buying the Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC), which
had 20 employees at the time, in 1994, the couple went on to buy out 19 other
companies, including TRJet, which
aims to be the first private plane production company in Turkey, increasing
their total assets to $3 billion. Now with 33 production facilities scattered
throughout Turkey, Germany, the U.K. and
the U.S., SNC is active in national security, defense, space systems and
commercial aeronautics solutions.
DREAM CHASER |
Dream Chaser, the milestone
SNC, one of the supplier companies of the U.S. Army, developed Dream
Chaser, the space plane that will carry cargo to NASA’s space station starting in 2020. After signing an agreement
with NASA two years ago, SNC quickly
made a name for itself in the space technology sector.
As partners, the Özmens’ success has been earned through dedicated
cooperation; a mutual effort that has landed them spots on Forbes’ “World’s
Billionaires List.” While SNC CEO Fatih
Özmen is listed as 1,561 on the famous list, SNC President Eren Özmen earned a spot on Forbes’ "America’s
Self-Made Women” list for the third time recently. The magazine also
labeled her as the only women in the world to have achieved such esteemed
success in the space sector.
Forbes took an interest in the couple, who usually prefer to stay out of
the limelight, after Fatih Özmen was added to their list of billionaires. About
SNC the magazine said: “Sierra Nevada, one of the fastest-growing family
companies in the U.S. with their resolution, dreams and targets, is a firm that
draws attention in the business world with its innovative applications in the
space field and the appeal of its working environment.” The magazine also
pointed out that Fatih Özmen delivered a speech alongside Elon Musk, the founder of SpaceX,
and Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon, at the first meeting of the National Space Council last October.
In February 2019, Fatih Özmen was invited to join the National Space Council Users’ Advisory
Group, whose members include other CEOs of giant aeronautics and space
companies, such as Boeing, Lockheed
Martin and Northrop Grumman. With Fatih Özmen in the group’s fold, he will
have the chance to actively influence the direction space technology for the
future and lend a Turkish perspective to the process.
Among the leading actors
Fatih Özmen told Daily Sabah about their futuristic American dream.
Daily Sabah: You were chosen for the National Space
Council in the U.S. What does that mean for you and your company?
Fatih Özmen: I gave a speech at the first meeting of
the National Space Council in October 2017. It was an honor for me. We,
together with the senior staff of SpaceX under Elon Musk and Blue Origin under Jeff Bezos, shared
our opinions and thoughts about innovation with Mike Pence, vice president of the U.S., and other members of the
council. I think the official invitation for the National Space Council Users’
Advisory Group symbolizes that Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) is one of the leading
actors in the space field and it has advanced in the sector.
Özmen's are seen with a famous civil pilot John Travolta |
DS: What is necessary to earn a place in the
advisory group?
Özmen: I think SNC has an authentic place
considering its role in the market. As a private equity company, we present
safe solutions based on innovations and skills along with traditional Tier 1 [supplier] space agreements. In
this context, I hope to reveal new opportunities that will strengthen and
reinforce the leadership in space works in the U.S. with my role in the newly
formed users’ advisory group.
Not afraid to think big
DS: What inspired you to invest in the space
field? How would you evaluate the future of this sector?
Özmen: Space is definitely an exciting field.
When I was a child, I was interested in space. I think this interest comes from
the endless opportunities that space presents. I’ve witnessed how space created
a national imagination and affected our children recently. For me, space is a
kind of bridge that brings together worlds and cultures. I hope that important
infrastructure works will be developed, and a lively space economy will be
created with necessary laws, agreements and politics within this framework.
DS: A Turkish-based
company now has a role in the space sector, which will direct the future of
the world. How did it come about?
Özmen: I have dedicated my whole life to
improving myself and being in a place better than I was yesterday. My desire
influenced the period when we turned SNC
from a small company, which had 20 employees, to a leading firm that now
has more than 3,500 employees in space and national security fields. Another
factor in our success was that we were not afraid to think big and follow our
dreams. I can say that we have been rewarded for our courage. Eren and I have
realized our dreams, capturing important opportunities and big successes.
Fatih Özmen in his first years with the SNC |
Turks ready for the moon and Mars
DS: Does the migrant policy of President
Donald Trump’s government affect you? On the other hand, how do you evaluate
the increase in the budget of NASA provided by the Trump administration?
Özmen: The migrant policy of President Trump does not affect us. On
the other hand, SNC has been working with NASA
for many years. Now, it is expected that Dream Chaser, which belongs to SNC
and is directed by it, will serve the National
Space Station starting in 2020 within the context of commercial resupply
services contracts. Besides, we’re working on a deep-space environment
prototype within the context of NASA’s
Deep Space Gateway Program. This will pave the way for people to go to the
moon and Mars soon.
Young Özmen's |
Turkey’s first domestic plane
DS: Could you quickly summarize the Dream
Chaser project? I think this project made you a star. Are there any other SNC
and TRJet projects that you would like to mention?
Özmen: Dream Chaser is a versatile spacecraft
that will serve the low orbit where the International Space Station is located.
NASA has signed an agreement with us for the Dream Chaser Cargo System to carry
cargo to the International Space Station within the context of our CRS2
contract in 2016. Dream Chaser, which can carry both pressurized and
unpressurized materials of up to 5,500 kilograms and as well as scientific
research, will make at least six cargo flights. Our team conducts is preparing
for the first flight planned for 2020. We conducted a successful test flight in
November 2017.
Dream Chaser is in the forefront as a versatile space plane that will
satisfy the transportation needs of low orbit areas. The vehicle arrangement,
launching facility, destination, period and other variables can be programmed
in accordance with the demand of local and international space agencies. We
have many agreements with international space agencies along with NASA. We,
together with them, are trying to satisfy global needs with technology,
application and flights for the space systems of Dream Chaser.
Young Özmen's enjoying their time in the States as Phd students |
Contributions to the Turkish economy
Özmen: Another project that makes Eren and me
excited is TRJet, and we are hopeful as we help realize the dream of producing
the first civil aircraft in Turkey with this project. There’s a serious need in
the international market for regional planes. We believe Turkey can reach the
aim of producing its dream airliner, modernizing Dornier 328 plane, which was
approved before, and focusing on the present customer portfolio of this plane.
Our intention since the beginning has always been creating new
opportunities for the next generations. In the direction of this aim, TRJet
will not only provide high-technology business opportunities but also seriously
contribute to the economy and exports of the country.
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