Countdown begins for launch of Turkiye’s 1st home-grown communications satellite

Press conference on the latest developments of Turkish satellite technology firm Turksat’s new satellite “Turksat 6A”, which is made entirely by Turkish firms, at Turkish Space Systems, Integration and Test Center in Ankara, Turkiye on March 22, 2024. [İsmail Aslandağ – Anadolu Agency]

Turkiye’s first indigenous communications satellite, Turksat 6A, will be launched into orbit on Monday at 5.00 p.m., EDT, from SpaceX’s Kennedy facility in Florida, according to Turkish Transport and Infrastructure Minister, Anadolu Agency reports.

Abdulkadir Uraloglu, in a statement on Monday, said the launch will mark Turkiye as one of the 11 countries capable of producing satellites through their own means.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is expected to broadcast a video message after the launch, while Uraloglu will also establish a live connection from the Kennedy Space Centre.

“Turksat 6A will set off with a propulsion system after the launch, reaching its permanent orbit at 42 degrees East, where we plan to conduct orbital tests for a month,” said Uraloglu.

The Minister noted that Turksat 6A will widen the country’s satellite coverage and meet the television broadcasting needs.

“India, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia, which were not served by currently operating satellites, will be covered with Turksat 6A, reaching 5 billion people,” the Minister added.

READ: Turkiye telecommunications satellite to be launched in mid-July

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