TURKEY BECOMES ONE OF 10 COUNTRIES TO PRODUCE COMMUNICATION SATELLITE

The satellite operator Turksat’s fifth-generation communication satellite, Turksat 5A, has entered into service with a ceremony attended by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Launched into orbit by U.S.-based SpaceX in January, the satellite is circling the earth along the 31st meridian east. Turksat 5A, whose maneuver life is expected to be 35 years, will back up the country’s existing satellites and protect its orbital rights, according to Erdogan. Additionally, the design and production phases of the company’s next satellite, Turksat 5B, has been completed and its testing process continues. Turksat 5B is will be launched in Q4 2021 by SpaceX’s Falcon 9. The country’s data communication capacity will increase 15-fold when Turksat 5B enters into service. Turksat has also produced its Turksat 6A satellite in collaboration with many institutions and organizations such as the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK) and Aselsan. “This satellite, which is in testing, is scheduled for launch next year. Turkey becomes one of only 10 countries able to manufacture its own communication satellite,” said Erdogan.