# Göktürk-2

> earth observation satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q1186059](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1186059)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Göktürk-2)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/gokturk-2

## Summary  
Göktürk‑2 is a Turkish Earth‑observation satellite launched on 18 December 2012. It was built by Turkish Aerospace Industries together with the TÜBİTAK Space Technologies Research Institute and is operated by Turkey’s Ministry of National Defence in a sun‑synchronous orbit.

## Key Facts  
- **Launch date:** 18 December 2012 (launch vehicle: Long March 2D)【P248: Q6272367】  
- **COSPAR ID:** 2012‑073A【P143: Q328】  
- **Spacecraft number (SCN):** 39030【P143: Q328】  
- **Operator:** Ministry of National Defence (Turkey)【P143: Q328】  
- **Developer:** TÜBİTAK (Turkey)【source】  
- **Manufacturer:** Turkish Aerospace Industries and TÜBİTAK Space Technologies Research Institute【source】  
- **Orbit type:** Sun‑synchronous orbit【source】  
- **Launch site:** Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, China【P248: Q6272367】  
- **Country of origin:** Turkey【P465: Q465】  
- **Instance of:** Earth‑observation satellite【source】

## FAQs  
### Q: What is Göktürk‑2?  
A: Göktürk‑2 is a Turkish Earth‑observation satellite designed to capture high‑resolution imagery of the planet for civilian and defence purposes.  

### Q: When and how was Göktürk‑2 launched?  
A: It was launched on 18 December 2012 aboard a Chinese Long March 2D rocket from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center.  

### Q: Who built and operates Göktürk‑2?  
A: The satellite was manufactured by Turkish Aerospace Industries together with the TÜBİTAK Space Technologies Research Institute, developed by TÜBİTAK, and is operated by Turkey’s Ministry of National Defence.  

### Q: What orbit does Göktürk‑2 use?  
A: Göktürk‑2 operates in a sun‑synchronous orbit, allowing consistent lighting conditions for imaging.  

### Q: What is the purpose of Göktürk‑2’s observations?  
A: Its imagery supports national security, disaster monitoring, and scientific research by providing up‑to‑date Earth‑surface data.  

## Why It Matters  
Göktürk‑2 marks a pivotal step in Turkey’s pursuit of autonomous space‑based remote‑sensing capabilities. By delivering high‑resolution Earth imagery, the satellite enhances national security through improved surveillance and situational awareness. Its data also supports civilian applications such as disaster response, environmental monitoring, and urban planning, reducing reliance on foreign providers. The collaboration between Turkish aerospace industry, TÜBİTAK, and the Ministry of National Defence demonstrates a growing domestic expertise in satellite development, launch integration, and orbital operations. Moreover, the successful launch via a Chinese Long March 2D vehicle underscores Turkey’s expanding international partnerships in space. Collectively, Göktürk‑2 strengthens Turkey’s strategic autonomy, contributes to global Earth‑observation datasets, and showcases the nation’s advancing technological capabilities.

## Notable For  
- First Turkish Earth‑observation satellite launched on a Chinese Long March 2D rocket.  
- Joint development by TÜBİTAK and Turkish Aerospace Industries, highlighting domestic aerospace collaboration.  
- Operated by the Ministry of National Defence, linking space assets directly to national security.  
- Placement in a sun‑synchronous orbit for consistent lighting in imaging missions.  
- Assigned the international identifier COSPAR 2012‑073A and SCN 39030, confirming its registration in global space catalogs.  

## Body  

### Overview  
Göktürk‑2 is classified as an Earth‑observation satellite. It is part of Turkey’s Göktürk series, aimed at providing high‑resolution optical imagery for both civilian and military uses.

### Development  
- **Developer:** TÜBİTAK (The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey).  
- **Manufacturers:** Turkish Aerospace Industries and the TÜBİTAK Space Technologies Research Institute.  
- **Purpose:** To furnish Turkey with independent remote‑sensing capabilities, supporting defence, disaster management, and scientific research.

### Launch Details  
- **Date:** 18 December 2012.  
- **Vehicle:** Long March 2D, a Chinese orbital carrier rocket.  
- **Site:** Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, China.  
- **Significant event:** Rocket launch recorded at Jiuquan on the launch date.

### Technical Identifiers  
- **COSPAR ID:** 2012‑073A.  
- **Spacecraft Number (SCN):** 39030.  
- **Country:** Turkey.  
- **Operator:** Ministry of National Defence (Turkey).  

### Orbit and Mission Profile  
- **Orbit type:** Sun‑synchronous, providing regular overpasses with similar illumination conditions.  
- **Mission:** Capture optical imagery for mapping, surveillance, and environmental monitoring.  

### Related Entities  
- **Earth observation satellite:** The broader class of satellites designed for Earth imaging.  
- **TÜBİTAK Space Technologies Research Institute:** The Turkish research institute involved in the satellite’s development.  
- **Long March 2D:** The Chinese launch vehicle that delivered Göktürk‑2 to orbit.  

### References & Media  
- **Model image:** ![Göktürk‑2 model](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/TaiIDEF2015_(7).JPG)  
- **Wikidata entry:** “Göktürk‑2” (Q‑identifier not provided).  
- **Wikipedia languages:** Available in Azerbaijani, Catalan, German, English, Hungarian, Indonesian, Japanese, Latvian, Russian, among others.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013