Türkiye launched its first indigenously developed communication satellite, Türksat 6A, in July 2024 from Cape Canaveral. (Aselsan)
Türkiye's first indigenously developed communication satellite, Türksat 6A, successfully launched onboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida on 9 July.
Operating in geostationary orbit, Türksat 6A is designed to support military and commercial users, providing coverage over the Anatolian peninsula as well as most of the European continent, the Middle East, and parts of Russia.
The satellite has a 15-year lifespan, features Ku- and X-band payloads provided by Aselsan, and is expected to orbit at 42° east.
Partners involved in the satellite's development include TÜBİTAK UZAY, Turkish Aerospace (TUSAŞ), Aselsan, and CTech. The indigenous development of the satellite and subsystems will be used to inform the development of future satellites.
Along with Türksat 6A, Türkiye launched its first indigenously developed Earth observation satellite, Imece, in April 2023 into sun-synchronous orbit.
For more information on satellite developments in the Middle East, please see UAE company Yahsat selects Airbus to build GEO satellites .
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