In the Media: Turkey’s 6th ‘Low Earth Orbit Satellite Ground Observation Station’ Established in Adana
Unveiling CubeSat: The Essence of ITouch’s 2019 Presentation
In 2019, ITouch presented a proposal to establish a CubeSat project at Mersin Teknopark in Turkey, envisioning a significant leap in space research capabilities. CubeSats, small nano-satellites weighing less than 1 kg, have been a growing area of interest since their development by Stanford University and California Polytechnic State University in 1999. These satellites, measuring around 10x10x10 cm, are primarily utilized for various research purposes by university students and academics, including projects like ITÜpSAT1 by Istanbul Technical University. Despite their small size, CubeSats play a crucial role in advancing space research and education.
Globally, CubeSat projects have been gaining momentum, with initiatives from institutions like Mektory Space Agency in Estonia and even elementary schools in the USA. These projects demonstrate the feasibility and educational value of CubeSats. Moreover, a significant market for CubeSat-related hardware and software development has emerged worldwide, with over 2000 suppliers and developers, including key Turkish players like ASELSAN, TAI, and GUMUSH Aerospace.
However, despite the promising market and the evident global trend, the CubeSat project at Mersin Teknopark could not materialize due to unsuitable conditions at the time. This missed opportunity underscores the potential for Turkey in the growing field of high-altitude and CubeSat projects. The proposal emphasized the need for fostering a culture of entrepreneurship and startups in this sector at Mersin Teknopark, with ITouch offering free software and network integration services. This initiative’s failure to launch highlights the challenges in integrating advanced space technologies in emerging markets and the importance of creating a supportive ecosystem for such innovative projects.
