RASAT Earth Observation Mission

RASAT’s technology-demonstration and Earth-observation mission validated domestically developed satellite equipment while supplying panchromatic and colour imagery. Led by TÜBİTAK UZAY, the work combined spacecraft development, ground operations and growth of national integration and testing capability. The mission began with launch on August 17, 2011. Its three-year design target was exceeded by eleven years of service, ending with retirement on August 23, 2022. The imager’s 7.5 m panchromatic and 15 m RGB sampling supported terrestrial observation, while flight experience with onboard computing, image processing and X-band communications informed later Turkish spacecraft.