Turkey drafts 'roadmap' for development of dual-use space program

http://www.geostrategy-direct.com/geostrategy-direct/secure/2013/04_24/mi.asp

 

Turkey drafts 'roadmap' for development of dual-use space program

ANKARA — Turkey has drafted a strategic plan for military space programs.

The Turkish military has released what was termed a "space roadmap" that outlined priorities in satellite and other programs. The roadmap included plans for the military to establish a Space Group Command under the authority of the Turkish Air Force.

The military said the roadmap sought to develop a dual-use space program that would enhance Turkey's reconnaissance capabilities. Another aim was the enhancement of space communications that could help in ballistic missile defense and electronic warfare.

Under the plan, space activities would come under the new Space Group Command. The roadmap envisioned the command operating as many as 16 satellites sponsored by the military and government by 2020.

The roadmap was released in wake of Turkey's launch of an advanced reconnaissance satellite in December 2012. The GokTurk-2 satellite has come under the auspices of the Reconnaissance Satellite Command, identified as a precursor of the Space Group Command.

So far, GokTurk-2, with a high resolution capability of less than 2.5 meters, has not turned fully operational. The military said this would take place by next month, when the satellite would send its first satellite images.

The roadmap envisioned slow development of the Space Group Command. The military said the command would be completed by 2023 when Turkey would launch its first spaceship.

In late March, Turkey's Defense Industry Undersecretariat sponsored a space power conference in Istanbul. The March 27-29 parley included addresses on satellites, air warfare and unmanned aerial vehicles.