TAI introduced its new generation observation satellite family called HÜRSAT for the first time at the 77th International Astronautical Congress held in Antalya. E.
Turkish Aerospace Industries (TUSAŞ) introduced HÜRSAT, its new satellite family to expand Turkey's earth observation capability, to the public at IAC 2026. Two different satellite concepts, HÜRSAT EO and HÜRSAT SAR, stood out at the fair.
HÜRSAT is being developed as a more compact platform compared to TAI's larger GÖKTÜRK class satellites. With this approach, the company seems to aim to create a satellite family that has lower mass and can be scaled according to different mission needs.
Two different imaging technologies will be used
HÜRSAT EO, the first member of the HÜRSAT family, will have electro-optical imaging capability. Electro-optical systems enable the acquisition of ground images with a high level of detail, especially in daytime conditions.
It is envisaged that this capability can be used in military reconnaissance and surveillance, as well as in civilian areas such as border tracking, mapping, urban planning, agriculture and forestry, and disaster and environmental monitoring. TAI already has experience in high-resolution electro-optical imaging within the scope of GÖKTÜRK-1.
The second member of the family, HÜRSAT SAR, will use Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) technology. One of the most important advantages of SAR systems is that imaging activities are not dependent on sunlight and can obtain data even in cloudy weather conditions.
Therefore, HÜRSAT EO and HÜRSAT SAR will offer two complementary imaging capacities that can operate in different conditions.
It is aimed to weigh less than 200 kilograms
One of the striking features of the HÜRSAT project will be the low satellite mass. According to the information provided by TAI, HÜRSAT is aimed to be lighter than 200 kilograms.
This value indicates a significantly lower mass than TAI's larger earth observation satellites. For example, while GÖKTÜRK-1 serves as a satellite in the approximately 1 ton class, GÖKTÜRK-2's mass is 409 kilograms.
In addition to reducing costs in satellite production, lower mass can also make it easier to evaluate suitable launch opportunities. In particular, the proliferation of small satellite launch services allows such platforms to be sent into orbit more flexibly.
The target for the first HÜRSAT is 2027
According to information obtained by Defense Turk, the first satellite of the HÜRSAT family is planned to be launched in October 2027. However, details regarding the EO or SAR configuration of the first satellite to be launched, as well as information regarding the launcher and the exact mission orbit, have not yet been disclosed.
As the project progresses, HÜRSAT is expected to add a different capacity to TAI's existing GÖKTÜRK satellite family. In particular, the use of lower mass platforms may be important in terms of renewing the earth observation capacity that Turkey needs at shorter intervals.
TAI's space portfolio is expanding
HÜRSAT creates a new platform class alongside TAI's existing projects in the space field. Company; In addition to earth observation and reconnaissance projects such as GÖKTÜRK-1, GÖKTÜRK-2, GÖKTÜRK-3 and GÖKTÜRK-Y, it also takes part in communication satellites such as TÜRKSAT 6A.
HÜRSAT's smaller and low-mass structure shows that TAI is turning to platforms of different sizes in satellite production. In the coming period, as the design and production stages of the project progress, more technical information regarding the number of satellites, mission orbits, resolution values and operational usage areas is expected to be shared.
