Turkey plans to launch its first domestically-built earth observation satellite next year, the semi-official Anatolia news agency reported Tuesday.

The satellite, which is called Rasat with a high-resolution optical imaging system and new modules developed by Turkish engineers, will be the first earth observation satellite to be designed and manufactured in Turkey, said the report.

Images from Rasat are expected to be used for such purposes as mapping, disaster monitoring and urban planning, according to the report.

The satellite will be launched from an airlift base in southeast Russia, the report said.

Officials of the Space Technologies Research Institute of Turkey's Scientific and Technological Research Council and Russia's International Space Company Kosmotras inked a deal last month for the launch of the Turkish satellite, it said.

Source:Xinhua