GÖKTÜRK-2, which was launched into space on December 18 as Turkey's high-resolution domestic reconnaissance satellite, made 1000 orbits around the Earth during its 70-day mission in space.
GÖKTÜRK-2, which has a resolution of 2.5 meters and was produced with a high localization rate by TÜBİTAK Space Technologies Research Institute (UZAY) and TAI, was launched into space from the Jiuquan Space Launch Center in the Gansu Province of the People's Republic of China on December 18. The national satellite, which settled into its orbit at an altitude of 686 kilometers 12 minutes after launch, took the first image from Antalya, Turkey, and the first image from the world from Auckland, New Zealand.
GÖKTÜRK-2, which successfully transmitted images to the ground station in Ankara throughout its mission in space, completed its 1000th pass around the Earth in 70 days. During this period, the ground stations communicated with the satellite 766 times. Test images taken from all over the world were evaluated by a team of experts. Each revolution of the satellite around the world was monitored in terms of the imaging and communication opportunities it provided.
Work is currently underway to transfer the satellite to the Air Forces Command. The satellite is controlled from the ground station in Ahlatlıbel, and TÜBİTAK UZAY employees support the personnel of the Air Forces Command.
Technical Specifications and Capabilities of GÖKTÜRK-2
Weighing approximately 400 kg, GÖKTÜRK-2 can take images with a resolution of 2.5 meters. It also has a high maneuverability capability that will provide stereo imaging capabilities that can be used in the preparation of 3D maps of the earth when desired. The satellite uses a national flight computer and software developed by TÜBİTAK UZAY. GÖKTÜRK-2 also has a high-speed data communication system capable of downloading images of a 600-kilometer strip stretching from the northern to the southern coasts of Turkey in a single pass. GÖKTÜRK-2 is not subject to any international restrictions on image capture and downloading to ground stations.
Second Satellite After RASAT
After RASAT, the first domestic observation satellite launched into space on August 17, 2011, the number of observation satellites of Turkey increased to 2 with the launch of GÖKTÜRK-2. The GÖKTÜRK-2 satellite has three times higher image resolution and four times higher mass than the RASAT satellite.
