Turkey makes first radiation testing lab for satellites

By Goksel Yildirim

ANKARA (AA) - Turkey completed its first corpuscular radiation testing facilities -- critical for the country's satellite construction efforts, the country’s Defense Industries Presidency announced Tuesday.

The device aims to test the resistance of satellite components against radiation before being launched into space, thus reducing Turkey's external dependence in space technologies.

Turkey hopes to expand its space capabilities by 2023. With the Particle Radiation Testing Infrastructure Installation Project, it aims to test the components and materials used in space against the effects of particle radiation in space.

The use of device began in the Middle East Technical University located in the capital Ankara.

Radiation in space can shorten the service span of satellites or make them inoperable altogether.

Using European Space Agency (ESA) standards, the facility can test solar cells, lithium ion batteries and multilayer insulation blankets produced in Turkey to be used in the country’s IMECE satellite.

The project also aims to develop a Domestic Radiation Monitor designed for use in domestically-built satellites, that'll display detected problems in satellites that may occur due to radiation.

*Writing by Erdogan Cagatay Zontur