Türkiye's First Domestically Made Communications Satellite Will Be Launched in June 2024

Work on Turksat 6A at TAI. (Source: AA via Daily Sabah)

JAKARTA - Turkey plans to launch its first domestically made communications satellite, Turksat 6A, in June 2024 based on an agreement with Space

"Our new satellite, Turksat 6A, will be launched in June 2024. We are determined to continue our efforts to establish a presence in space and influence the world," said Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu, quoted by Daily Sabah, October 25.

In its statement, the ministry said the country's satellite technology journey began with Turksat 1B. Since then, Turkey's technology has continued to develop, and is ready to operate its first domestic communications satellite, Turksat 6A.

"The Turksat 6A communications satellite will make our country one of the first 11 countries in the world capable of producing communications satellites," the statement said.

It further said that Turksat 6A will provide services at 42 degrees east longitude upon completion, located in geostationary orbit 35,786 kilometers (22,236 miles) from Earth.

It is known that this 7.5 kilowatt domestic and national communications satellite will be equipped with 20 transponders. The satellite will provide services in the Ku band and will also provide access to regions such as Southeast Asia that could not be reached by previous satellites. "

The assembly, integration, and testing of the Turksat 6A satellite was carried out through the cooperation of Türksat, the Presidency of Defense Industries (SSB) with Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI).

The process of production, integration, and testing of thermal, structural, and engineering models in the Turksat 6A satellite project has been completed.

In addition, initial system level functional tests, thermal vacuum tests, vibration, acoustic and electromagnetic compatibility tests have also been completed.