Türkiye launches its 1st indigenous Earth observation satellite into space

Turkish-built pioneering satellite blasted off into space from California's Vandenberg Space Force Base at 0648 GMT

2023-04-15 10:14:41

ISTANBUL

Türkiye on Saturday successfully launched its first indigenous high-resolution Earth observation satellite, called the IMECE, into space.

The Turkish-made pioneering satellite was blasted off early on Saturday from the Vandenberg Space Force Base in the US state of California at 0648 GMT.

The launch marks the first time that Türkiye will have an electro-optical satellite camera with sub-meter resolution in orbit.

The IMECE's orbit will be sun-synchronous at an altitude of 680 kilometers (422.5 miles) and serve in the areas of defense, disaster management, environment and urbanization, and agriculture and forestry.

During its mission span of five years, the satellite will take images from around the world.