Ankara, Türkiye - In a historic moment for Turkish space exploration, the country has launched its first communication satellite, TURKSAT-6A, into orbit. The satellite was launched by a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket early Tuesday from Kennedy Space Center in Florida, United States.
Falcon 9 blasts off carrying Turkiye's First indigenously devoloped and produced satellite - TURKSAT 6A Credit: SpaceX
The TURKSAT-6A satellite is a Turkish communications satellite developed and produced indigenously by ASELSAN, Türkiye's defense company. The satellite is equipped with Ku-Band and X-Band communication payloads and will provide communication services to Türkiye, Europe, and South Asia. The new South Asia coverage expansion will enhance the service area of the Turkish satellites significantly, marking a new era in the country’s space capabilities.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the launch marked the opening of a "new phase" for Turkey in satellite production. "Our indigenous, national communications satellite 6A will ensure the backup of existing satellites and increase capacity," he said. Erdogan added that Türkiye produced more than 81% of the subsystems, satellite ground stations, and software in the 6A project with national resources, which is of great importance for the country's future in space.
Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu said the first signal from TURKSAT-6A was received 67 minutes after its launch, as planned. The satellite would serve at 42 degrees east longitude, expanding the coverage of Türkiye's communications services to 5 billion people, including India, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand.
The satellite is set to reach its operational orbit of 35,786 km above the Earth's surface and undergo orbital tests for a month. This development places Türkiye within a new league of countries capable of producing their communication satellites.
The launch is a testament to the growing capabilities of Turkish space program, with the country becoming one of the 11 countries to have produced a satellite domestically. This development marks a significant milestone in Turkish space exploration, paving the way for further advancements in the field.
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