Turkish imaging satellite lifted to orbit by China

China launched a Turkish reconnaissance satellite Tuesday to supply optical imagery for civilian users and defense forces, according to media reports. The Gokturk 2 spacecraft lifted off on a Chinese Long March 2D rocket at 1613 GMT (11:13 a.m. EST) Tuesday. The launch, which originated from the Jiuquan space base in northwestern China, was at 12:13 a.m. Beijing time, according to the state-run Xinhua news agency. Built by Turkish Aerospace Inc. and funded by the Turkish government, the Gokturk 2 satellite is beginning a five-year mission to collect imagery visible, near-infrared and shortwave infrared global reconnaissance imagery. More

(Source: SpaceFlight Now - Dec 19)