RASAT was produced by the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey -- Space Technologies Research Institute (TÜBİTAK-UZAY) and funded by the State Planning Organization (DPT).
The first satellite made by Turkish engineers at all stages of design, production and testing will be launched next year, TÜBİTAK officials said, according to Anatolia news agency reports. The agreement to launch RASAT was signed last month between TÜBİTAK officials and the International Space Company (ISC) Kosmotras. The primary purpose of the RASAT program is to improve the infrastructure required to assemble, integrate and test small satellites in Turkey without receiving any foreign funding. In addition, images acquired from RASAT will be used for city and regional planning, forestry and agricultural purposes.
Produced with the aim of displaying Turkey's ability to produce satellites, RASAT will be among a number of satellites to be launched by a Ukraine-made Dnepr launch vehicle operated by ISC Kosmotras. The Dnepr launch vehicle was developed from the strongest intercontinental ballistic missile, the SS-18. Dnepr is known as the most sensitive and effective launch vehicle used for low-orbit mini-satellite launches.
The RASAT launch will be the 17th launch of a satellite carriage in the Dnepr program. The satellite will contribute immensely to increasing the potential of Turkey's high-tech sector.
TÜBİTAK-UZAY was founded in 1985 under a protocol establishing a publicly funded research institute. TÜBİTAK-UZAY's main focus areas are space technology, electronics, information technology and related fields. The institute leads and takes part in research and development projects.
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