ROKETSAN has introduced ŞİMŞEK-2, the newest member of its national satellite launch vehicle family. In a post from the company's social media account, it was stated: "National technology in independent space access, a powerful capability reaching into orbit."
Technical Specifications of ŞİMŞEK-2
According to technical data shared by ROKETSAN, ŞİMŞEK-2 is 40 metres long and 3.7 metres in diameter. The launch vehicle will have the capacity to place satellites weighing 1,500 kilograms into sun-synchronous orbit at an altitude above 700 kilometres. A sun-synchronous orbit enables the satellite to capture the same local time on each pass over a given region of the Earth. This keeps shadow and light conditions in imagery consistent, making it easier to compare images taken over time.
First Launch Test of ŞİMŞEK-1 in 2027
According to ROKETSAN's statement, the first launch test of the ŞİMŞEK-1 Satellite Launch Vehicle will be carried out in 2027. ŞİMŞEK-2, meanwhile, will be developed with the experience gained from ŞİMŞEK-1 and aims to carry Türkiye higher in the space league.
ŞİMŞEK-1 and HÜRSAT-2 Cooperation
ROKETSAN's launch system had previously come to the fore within the scope of the HÜRSAT-2 project. Under the HÜRSAT-2 project contract signed between TUSAŞ and ROKETSAN, this satellite will be sent into orbit using the ŞİMŞEK-1 satellite launch system. Until now, Türkiye has had to send its satellites into orbit using foreign launch vehicles. TÜRKSAT 6A was sent into space aboard SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket. With the ŞİMŞEK family entering service, Türkiye aims to join the ranks of countries capable of sending their own satellites into space using their own launch systems.
The Goal of Independent Access to Space
ROKETSAN's ŞİMŞEK programme lies at the centre of Türkiye's strategy for independent access to space. The development of launch vehicles means the localisation of orbital access capability as well as satellite production. This capability provides the ability to act independently across a broad spectrum, from military reconnaissance satellites to communications satellites.
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