Turkey launched a new communications satellite from China’s Zhiuguan base, the state-owned satellite and cable television company of Turkey Turksat reported.

The TURKSAT-3USAT satellite at a size of 34 centimetres was produced by Türksat and Istanbul Technical University.

It will be used for three years at a distance of 645 kilometres from earth.

On December 18, 2012, Turkey launched its second satellite Göktürk-2 from the Chinese Zhiuguan base. The satellite with a resolution of 2.5 metres will be used for defence purposes.

Turkey launched its first own reconnaissance satellite RASAT in 2011.

Earlier, Minister of Science, Industry and Technology Nihat Ergun said that Turkey is preparing a 10-year programme of investment in the development of satellite technologies of the country.

According to Ergun, Turkey’s top priority today is to create a satellite launching system.

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