Turkey’s first domestic observation satellite, IMECE, was launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, USA at 09:48 Turkish time, April 15.
The launch of Turkey’s first domestic observation satellite, IMECE, was closely monitored by high-level officials. Minister of National Defense Hulusi Akar, along with Chief of General Staff General Yaşar Güler, Air Force Commander General Atilla Gülan, and Defense Industry President İsmail Demir followed the launch from Ankara.
During his speech, Minister of National Defense Hulusi Akar emphasized the importance of Turkey’s progress in space and cyber technology, highlighting the need for the country to be superior in these fields in the activities of the Turkish Armed Forces and other institutions.
Minister Akar also stated that the IMECE satellite system will provide Turkey with new capabilities in observing and monitoring the Earth’s surface with higher precision.
“Our Armed Forces are ready, they have done the necessary training. From the first moment, we will benefit from this satellite to the maximum extent and we will see its benefits.” minister Akar said.
The IMECE satellite system is Turkey’s first domestically developed reconnaissance and observation satellite equipped with a submeter high-resolution electro-optical satellite system, and it will be the third military satellite system in Turkey’s inventory after the Göktürk-1 and Göktürk-2 satellites.
IMECE will provide an important capability to meet the Turkish Armed Forces’ needs for reconnaissance, surveillance, and target intelligence with high-resolution satellite images from all over the world, using domestic and national means.
After completion of the orbital tests and acceptance phases, the command control of the IMECE satellite will be under the Reconnaissance Satellite Battalion Command, which operates within the Air Force Command.
Turkey also touts the launch of the satellite system as an important achievement for its contribution to NATO’s collective defense capabilities. The satellite’s high-resolution imaging will enhance the surveillance capabilities of the Turkish Armed Forces, boosting both national security and its NATO status.
