Satellite Gokturk-2 sent to China before its launch

Turkey's second home-made earth observation satellite, Gokturk-2, was sent to a base in China yesterday to be launched into space on December 16. Gokturk-2 will be the first National Earth Observation Satellite, which has been funded by The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK) resources, with all of its computer and computer software fully manufactured in Turkey. Speaking at the farewell ceremony, Muharrem Dortkasli, CEO of Turkish Aerospace Industries, said that Turkey would have the capacity to launch its own satellite in four or five years' time. Dortkasli added that the Gokturk-2 satellite, with 2.5 meters of resolution, would be used for the image requirements of the Turkish Armed Forces as well as other institutions that require satellite images for agriculture, transportation and urban development.