Arianespace to launch Gokturk-1 high-resolution observation satellite

Arianespace has announced a launch contract with Telespazio to launch the Gokturk-1 satellite for the Turkish government.

Stephane Israel, Chairman and CEO of Arianespace, and Luigi Pasquali, Chief Executive Officer of Telespazio, announced that they have signed at the 50th International Paris Air Show, the launch contract for the Gokturk-1 satellite.

This is the ninth contract signed since the beginning of the year by Arianespace and the second commercial contract for Vega on the open market.

Telespazio is the prime contractor for the Gokturk-1 high-resolution observation system, while Thales Alenia Space is providing the space segment. Weighing 1100 kg at launch, the Gokturk-1 satellite will be launched by Arianespace's Vega light launcher into a Sun-synchronous orbit at an altitude of about 700 km.

It will be launched from the Guiana Space Center, French Guiana, in 2015.

The Gokturk-1 system will provide very-high-quality panchromatic and multispectral products for a wide range of applications, including cadastral surveys, management of natural resources, environmental monitoring and homeland surveillance.

Arianespace Chairman and CEO Stephane Israel said: "This is the fourth contract for Vega, after Sentinel 2 and 3, and DZZ-HR for Kazakhstan. We are also delighted to be working once again with Telespazio, with whom we have a long-standing relationship of mutual trust. Today, with the European launcher Vega, we can offer all customers new launch services for this type of mission. "