Turkey, which has recently achieved significant successes in the defense industry, paved the way to space with the technological achievements obtained within the scope of the National Technology Move. With the project of the Presidency of the Presidency of Defense Industries, the first domestic probe rocket became the first Turkish vehicle to cross the space border.
The development, which was first heralded by İsmail Demir, President of the Presidency and Head of Defence Industries, with the words “Turkey has seen space”, was revealed at the Opening Ceremony of ROKETSAN Satellite Launch Space Systems and Advanced Technologies Research Center and Explosive Raw Material Production Facility. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan shared with the public the images obtained from space with the first domestic probe rocket launched with national technologies.
The road to this development was paved with the decision taken by the Defense Industry Executive Committee in 2012, which paved the way for Turkey’s independent access to space.
The task of establishing the Space Systems and Advanced Technologies Research Center was assigned to ROKETSAN by the Presidency of the Presidency of Defence Industries (SSB).
In 2018, the SSB and ROKETSAN signed the Micro Satellite Launch System Development Project (MUFS) to ensure Turkey’s independent access to space. The project is expected to be completed in 2025.
With the project, micro satellites weighing 100 kilograms or less will be able to be placed in low earth orbit with an altitude of at least 400 kilometers.
Within the scope of the project, which will enable a limited number of countries in the world to have the ability to launch, test and produce satellites, and to establish bases, the domestic satellite will provide Turkey with a secure flow of information in both war and peacetime when it is launched into space.
The satellite, which will contribute to the future of the country in every field from agriculture to war intelligence, will facilitate the work of the military with instant information and coordinates.
Reached space 1 year early
Currently, testing activities related to the project are continuing successfully. Dozens of technology development projects required for access to space are being carried out together with universities, stakeholder national companies and institutes.
In three years, ROKETSAN has developed 24 different technologies with its own engineering power and local stakeholders.
Behind the successful test results are more than 1 million hours of hard work by nearly 1000 experts and technicians at ROKETSAN.
While the goal of reaching space in 4 years was reached one year early, Turkey has taken its first step into space with the technologies developed entirely by itself after 3 years of work.
The first domestic probe rocket launched with national technologies within the scope of the MUFS Project reached an altitude of 130 kilometers, exceeding the 100 kilometer line, which is considered the border of space. With the project of the Presidency of the Presidency of Defense Industries, the first domestic probe rocket became the first Turkish vehicle to cross the space border.
The rocket was launched with solid fuel technology. After this, the test phase will begin with both solid and liquid fuel.
In this context, the first space trials of the indigenously developed liquid-fuel rocket engine technology will begin. Development activities for hybrid fuel rocket engines are also ongoing.
All these activities carried out within the scope of the National Technology Move enabled Turkey to “cross the space border” and enter the “space league”.
Source: https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/bilim-teknoloji/turkiye-uzayin-kapisini-boyle-acti/1958374
