Turkey launches its first homegrown observation satellite IMECE
Turkey has successfully sent its very first locally-produced Earth observation satellite into space.
ANKARA (TechtUSA/AA/TRT World) The launch of Turkey's indigenous observation satellite, IMECE, into orbit was delayed for the second time due to unfavorable wind conditions. The launch was being managed by SpaceX, and had been scheduled to take place on Friday morning from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, aboard the Transporter-7 carrier.
After a one-day delay, the launch of the IMECE Earth observation satellite was successfully completed on Saturday at the Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, USA.
IMECE is the Turkey's first indigenous observation satellite
As TRT World reported, Turkish public broadcaster in English language, The IMECE satellite is a remote sensing device that was developed by the Space Technologies Research Institute of Türkiye's Scientific and Technological Research Council (TUBITAK), using up to 60% of locally sourced materials and resources.
Equipped with a high-resolution electro-optical camera, the IMECE satellite has the capability to capture images from various locations around the world.
Following the satellite's launch, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan noted that Türkiye independently managed the design, production, assembly, integration, and testing of the IMECE satellite.
Erdogan also mentioned that the planned launch of Türksat 6A would increase the number of Türkiye's satellites in space to 10.
According to a statement by the Industry and Technology Ministry, the IMECE satellite will operate in orbit at an altitude of 680 kilometers (422.5 miles) and simultaneously with the sun, providing Türkiye with high-resolution satellite imagery.
