Turkey successfully launches Turksat 6A satellite abroad SpaceX’s Falcon 9

2024-07-09 05:14:57

(MENAFN) Türkiye's inaugural domestically developed communications satellite, Turksat 6A, achieved a successful launch from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, propelled by SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket. The launch occurred at 7:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (2330 GMT) on Monday, with the satellite expected to deploy into orbit approximately 35 minutes later, as confirmed by SpaceX.

Weighing 4.25 tons, Turksat 6A is slated to operate from the 42 degrees East orbital position with a projected service life of 15 years. It will provide extensive coverage across Türkiye, Europe, North Africa, the Middle East, and Asia, delivering services crucial for TV broadcasting, radio transmissions, and emergency communications, potentially benefiting 4.5 billion people.

The project represents a culmination of a decade-long effort. The Turksat series began with Turksat 1B in 1996, followed by subsequent advancements with Turksat 2A (2001), Turksat 3A (2008), Turksat 4A (2014), Turksat 4B (2015), and more recent additions Turksat 5A and 5B in 2021. Turkish engineers have been integral to the development of these satellites, particularly contributing to Turksat 4A and 4B, and deeply involved in the design, production, and testing phases of 5A and 5B.

The indigenous Turksat 6A project officially commenced on December 15, 2014, coinciding with the establishment of the Space Systems Assembly Integration and Test Center at Turkish Aerospace Industries in collaboration with Turksat and Türkiye’s Defense Industry Agency. Key partners in the project include Turkish defense firms, the Turkish Space Agency, Aselsan, C2TECH, Turkish Aerospace Industries, and the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Türkiye's Space Technologies Research Institute, all of whom contributed to the satellite's development.

The satellite's construction underwent rigorous evaluation phases starting in 2015, marking significant milestones in Türkiye's expanding capabilities in space technology and satellite communications.

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