First Turkish spy satellite, Gokturk, to be put into orbit in 2012

A production contract to start the construction work for Turkey's first spy satellite was signed yesterday with an official signing ceremony which was held at the Defense Industry Undersecretary (SSM) with the attendance of Defense Minister Vecdi Gonul, Transportation Minister Binali Yildirim, Air Forces Commander Aydogan Babaoglu, and many guests. Bearing the name of the first Turkish Empire in history, Gokturk, the construction of the satellite will be completed in nearly two years, and it will be launched into space in 2012. The satellite will provide intelligence-oriented high-resolution pictures to the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) from all over the world. Capable of sending real-time images, the Gokturk will also be used for civilian purposes such as forestry, fighting unlicensed construction, mapping and land surveying, emergency management, and monitoring and protection natural resources and beauties. The contract was signed representatives by the SSM, Italian space, aviation and defense company Finmeccanica, and French electronic company Thales. Speaking at the ceremony, Yildirim characterized the project as an important step taken forward in line with Turkey's 2015 Space and Satellite Strategy. He said that the project would improve cooperation at both national and international levels to carry out such projects, adding that several Turkish defense industry companies took part in the project as well. He said that a number of satellites with different qualities and orbits would be combined by the Gokturk, and added that they would be produced and assembled through software and hardware contributions of Turkish and Italian companies. When the Gokturk is completed, Turkey will be no longer a buyer but a producer and assembler in space and satellite technologies, he added.