Special to WorldTribune.com

ANKARA — Turkey has provided details of its first spy satellite.

The state-owned Turkish Aerospace Industries said the GokTurk-2 satellite completed its first year in space last month.

“The satellite developed by TAI and Tubitak Space cooperation, performed 5,344 passes in one year and gathered high resolution images from all around the world without any geographical restriction,” TAI said.

Officials said the reference was to Israeli concerns over Turkish reconnaissance on military and nuclear bases in the Jewish state. They said Jerusalem argued that Ankara could relay such information to Israel’s adversaries, particularly Iran.

TAI said GokTurk-2, an electro-optical platform, conducted surveillance missions throughout the world.

TAI said GokTurk-2, believed to have a high resolution of about two meters, marked the first satellite designed by Turkey.

The platform was tested by TAI and placed into orbit in December 2012 from China and its LM-2D space launch vehicle.

“Since the successful launch till today, GokTurk-2 continues its
existence and successful operation at the 700 kilometer altitude under the
control of the Turkish Air Force,” TAI said on Jan. 14.

  GokTurk-2, Turkey reports successful initial year for first spy satellite, Turkey’s first spy satellite snaps high resolution images ‘without any geographical restriction’, Turkish Aerospace Industries