Türkiye Launches Sounding Rockets, And There Are Missiles Behind Its Space Ambitions

     In recent years, Türkiye has expanded its influence in the Middle East and paid increasing attention to Central Asia. Its foreign policy is often described by the West as "new Ottomanism". Türkiye has a "dream of a great country". Specifically, in the military and aerospace fields, military technology has developed rapidly. TF-X "Khan" stealth fighter, "flagship" reconnaissance and strike integrated UAV, "island" class frigates and various types of land weapons, many of which have also been exported abroad. From 2018 to 2022, Türkiye's share in the global arms trade has risen from 0.6% to 1.1%. At present, it has become the 12th largest arms exporter in the world, which is impressive.
    In order to enhance its space capability, Türkiye has proposed opportunities such as satellites, manned spaceflight, lunar exploration and launch vehicles. In terms of launch vehicles, Türkiye, like other countries that have successfully entered space, also started from sounding rockets. In 2018, Türkiye successfully launched its first sounding rocket. The SR-1 sounding rocket launched this time has a carrying capacity of about 100kg and a launch height of 500km. Following the SR-1 sounding rocket, Rocketsan will continue to focus on Şı M Ş Development of EK series launch vehicles. Şı M Ş The payload of the EK-1 carrier rocket is 400 kilograms, with the goal of reaching an altitude of 550 kilometers by 2027, and there will be more advanced ones in the future Şı M Ş EK-2 carrier rocket. According to officially disclosed information, the average annual budget of Türkiye Space Agency is 50 million dollars. In addition, Türkiye's media reported that Türkiye may invest US $1 billion to realize the manned space program. Türkiye has accelerated the development of asymmetric combat power in recent years, vigorously developing unmanned aerial vehicles, ballistic missiles and cruise missiles. Its rapid development in military technology and aerospace is impressive. Their space programs will play an important role in improving global competitiveness.