Turkiye launches first domestically-built satellite aboard SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket

Europe, News, US July 10, 2024 , by IRIA No Comments

Turkey successfully launched its first domestically-built communications satellite, Türksat 6A, into orbit on July 9, 2024. The launch, facilitated by a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, represents a substantial leap forward in Turkiye’s satellite technology and space exploration capabilities.

The launch took place at 7:30 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time. Following a smooth deployment process that lasted about 35 minutes, Türksat 6A is now positioned at the 42 degrees East orbital slot. The satellite, weighing 4.25 tons, has an expected service life of 15 years, covering regions including Turkiye, Europe, North Africa, the Middle East, and Asia, ultimately serving around 4.5 billion people with TV, radio, and emergency communications.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan highlighted the significance of this achievement, stating that it marks a “new phase” in Turkiye’s satellite production capabilities. “As Turkey, we produced more than 81% of the subsystems, satellite ground stations, and software in the 6A project, which is of great importance for our country’s future in space, with national resources,” he said.

Erdogan underscored the importance of overcoming obstacles and restrictions to expand Turkiye’s presence in space, referencing the country’s growing collaboration with SpaceX and its CEO Elon Musk.

Deployment of the @Turksat 6A satellite confirmed pic.twitter.com/Lad1nWqstB
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) July 9, 2024

Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu emphasized the 10-year effort that culminated in Türksat 6A’s successful launch. He announced that the first signal from the satellite was received 67 minutes post-launch, confirming that the satellite will enhance Turkiye’s coverage to reach 5 billion people.

“We will have brought our own communications, our television broadcasts to a safer, better level,” Uraloğlu stated, highlighting the satellite’s capacity to reach India, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand.

Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz lauded Türksat 6A as “the highest-value technology project produced by our country so far.” He pointed out the strategic importance of satellite technologies in communication, defense, weather forecasts, and disaster management. “We consider it extremely important to be independent in such a strategic area with domestic and national technologies,” Yilmaz said during a ceremony in Ankara.

Industry and Technology Minister Mehmet Fatih Kacir highlighted the extensive localization efforts in the project. “During the 6A project, we achieved a localization rate of more than 80% by domestically producing 84 pieces of equipment of 23 different types,” he said, mentioning critical components like flight computers and power distribution units. Kacir emphasized the rigorous testing process, with 396 environmental and functional tests validating the satellite’s readiness for space conditions.

*_{SpaceX Falcon 9 Rocket launches the Türksat 6A mission to orbit from Florida. (Image Credit: X/@SpaceX)}*

The Türksat 6A project began on December 15, 2014, with the establishment of the Space Systems Assembly Integration and Test Center at Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) facilities. A collaborative effort involving TAI, the Turkish Space Agency, defense firms like Aselsan and C2TECH, Turksat, and TUBITAK’s Space Technologies Research Institute (TUBITAK UZAY) led to the satellite’s development. The preliminary design review took place in 2015, followed by multiple critical review phases and extensive testing over subsequent years.