LAUNCHING STEPS FOR THE TURKISH EARTH OBSERVATION ACTIVITIES

Dr. Tamer Dr. Tamer ZALP, Ms. AslZALP, Ms. Asl Vural, Mr. Erol TunalVural, Mr. Erol TunalTTBBTAKTAK

GEO South Eastern Europe and Eastern Mediterranean Symposium on Earth Observation Services for Monitoring the

Environment and Protecting the General Public.0808--09. 06. 200909. 06. 2009Athens, GreeceAthens, Greece

Acknowledgement

Mariolopoulos KanaginisFoundation fortheEnvironmentalSciences

Greek GEO Organizing Committee

Presentation Plan

TURKEY

Turkey in GeneralSpace and TurkeySpace Technologies Related ActivitiesEO ActivitiesPolicy, Programme and PlansNational Space Research ProgrammeTBTAK Earth Observation Projects (2005-2008)

SUMMARY

The Term EO

The term Earth Observation (EO) refers to the application of in situ and remote sensing measuring technologies to study the Earths environment and the effects of human activities.

This includes measuring technologies and platforms, owned and operated by a variety of entities, from research institutions to public authorities, to international organisations and private commercial interests. (EC)

Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS)

Turkey in General

Turkey is a country with a Population of 71 million Area of 783,562 km2

And has a high rate of change in many aspects:

High immigration rate to big cities Population growth rate Big development projects (highways, dams, irrigation, housing etc) Growing industry Changing agricultural practices

Turkey in General

As a result of these, Turkey faces: Uncontrollable urbanization Environmental problems like pollution, soil erosion, salinity and deforestation

Moreover, it is prone to natural hazards like: Landslides Flood Earthquakes

And uncontrolled urbanization cause higher risks and in case of a disaster, higher damages than normal.

Space and Turkey

Turkey sees space as a matter of strategic importance and national pride, and space technology is identified as a priority area for Turkey.

Turkey has a growing space related activity in several government agencies, universities, research centers and institutions and private sector. Individual scientists and groups carry out research in space science, space technology and applications in several universities and research centers.

For a long time: EO data is being used for Earth remote sensing and scientific research, EO satellite ground stations are being operated, Undergrad and graduate programmes on aeronautics and astronautics are offered.

Direct space hardware development experience in Turkish industry is existent but not much.

In order to acquire the necessary expertise and technology to build satellites, TBITAK-UZAY took initiative with its small satellite projects.

Space and Turkey

Turkey in GeneralFurthermore, in a fast developing state, these developments

have to be monitored continuously, in order to support any necessary revisions in the spatial policies to streamline the developments.

Space technologies especialy Earh Observation Systems can and must support the acquisition and handling of traditional information.

First LEO EO satellite project: RASAT

Funded by State Planning Office as a development project for a LEO EO satellite with GSD = 7 m

By successful completion of this project:New payloads will have been tested in spaceCapability to design and manufacture a LEO EO satellite will have been demonstratedInfrastructure and skills about LEO satellites will have been improvedCurrently, flight model is being integrated

Expected launch date: late 2009 early 2010

Space Technology Activities

There are fundamental engineering competencies, company cultures and international quality standards for the purpose of enabling space hardware development and pursuance of satellite projects.

The industrial and scientific research capabilities are generally very high quality and in principle able to support participation in space activities worldwide.

The Turkish scientific user community has good research and working potential and experience in certain fields like, space science and exploration, space applications and other activities.

Space Technology Activities

Space Technology Activities

Within most of the government agencies projects employing geographic information systems and remote sensing technologies are being implemented.

EO ActivitiesTurkey is a country with a high technological capability on earth

observation. Most Turkish agencies have Remote Sensing and GIS facilities.

There are established research groups which are developing applications and conducting research using satellite earth observation data for cartography, geodesy, geology, agriculture, fisheries, meteorology, urbanization, hydrology, forestry, etc.

Some government organizations like the Istanbul Technical University and TBITAK UZAY, and some private companies have established facilities of ground receiving stations for SPOT, LANDSAT, Meteosat, ERS, (ENVISAT) and RADARSAT remote sensing satellites.

EO Activities

There is a noticeable activity in the private sector as well. A major component is made up of companies which are vendors of

hardware, software and data.

Private sector projects are often funded by municipalities or government agencies and less frequently by major commercial entities such as oil or mineral extraction companies or water supply development projects.

Within the Turkish University system there are well established and application based Remote Sensing programs that are associated with Faculties of Engineering and also a few that are associated with applications in specific disciplines.

Space ResearchProgramme

TotalProjects

(#)Science and ApplicationEarth Science and Observation SystemsRemote Sensing, GIS, GPS, Meteorology

265Societal

Benefit Areas

DisastersHealthEnergyClimateWaterWeatherEcosystemsAgricultureBiodiversity

EO ActivitiesEO projects proposed to TUBITAK in 2008

TBTAK International Contacts

TBTAK International contacts /memberships/ partnerships on space technologies and earth observation: European Space Agency (ESA) European Commission FP7, Env + Space GEO (Group on Earth Observations), European GEO HLWG Asia Pasific Space Cooperation Organization (APSCO) United Nations, Space Activities (OOSA) CEOS, Committe on Earth Observation Satellites IAF ISPRS DMC (Disaster Monitoring Charter) BNSC, DLR, NIVR, NSAU, ROSCOSMOS (ongoing)

Policy, Programme and Plans Space research and technologies are of the priority areas in Turkeys Science and Technology Policy, which is determined by the Supreme Council for Science and Technology (SCST). 2004, the SCST, has approved the National Science and Technology initiative for 10 years. One of the priority areas of this initiative is the Space Research and it is initiated by the Prime Minister of Turkey. In the end of 2004, the SCST has delegated TBTAK to prepare a national space research programme of Turkey. The first National Space Research Programme of Turkey was launched by TBITAK in March 2005.

National Space Research Programme

Areas

SUMMARY

Space Segment DevelopmentTBTAK- UZAY InstituteBLSAT (2003) in servicesRASAT (2008)NEXT GENERATION EO SATELLITES (2011)

TAI(Aero-Space Industry)

Ground Segment EstablishedTBTAK- UZAYInstituteDG MeteorologyT-SAGRESPrivate Companies such as INTA Space Systems

Service providersPrivate firms

Well established RS and GIS capabilitiesUniversities like, T, METU, stanbul, Dokuz Eyll, Karadeniz etcGovernment Agencies and Institutions, Ministries,Some private companies

SUMMARY

Data Integration, Information Management, Standards Ministry of Defence(GC of Mapping)State Planning OrganizationTBTAK Research InstitutesMinistry of Public Works and SettlementUniversities, T, ODT, Karadeniz Teknik etc.Associations, Chambers

International CooperationEuropean Space AgencyEUMETSATEC FP7GEO, CEOSBilateral relations( UK etc)

Promoting and Funding MechanismsProjects Support and Infrastructure

TBTAKState Planning OrganizationsOthers (Universities)

Research TBTAK Research Institutes and Universities

GEO Contact Point:Dr. Tamer ZALP

tamer.ozalp@tubitak.gov.tr0 312 468 53 00/1260

THANK YOU