Türkiye’s first communication satellite TURKSAT-6A, equipped with Ku-Band and X-Band communication payloads developed by ASELSAN engineers has been launched by a SpaceX Falcon9 rocket from Florida, USA. This key development places Türkiye within a new league of countries capable of producing their own communication satellites.
ASELSAN, Türkiye’s leading defence company, is celebrating an outstanding milestone in its space studies and satellite payload development with the successful launch of TURKSAT-6A satellite from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, USA on 9 July. On this historic day, Türkiye has joined an elite group of 10 countries capable of manufacturing their own communication satellites. ASELSAN-engineered Ku-Band and X-Band payloads will play a crucial role throughout the satellite’s operational lifespan.
ASELSAN, which began its journey in space technologies in 2000, has developed the Ku-Band and X-Band payloads for TURKSAT-6A as a key participant in the project. With ASELSAN’s advanced Ku-Band payload, TURKSAT-6A will provide communication services to Türkiye, Europe and South Asia. This new South Asia coverage expansion enhances the service area of the Turkish satellites significantly, marking a new era in the country’s space capabilities.
As part of the TURKSAT-6A Project, ASELSAN developed and qualified its own internal design, assembly, integration and testing processes for space applications. Over 100 ASELSAN personnel contributed to this challenging project, designing payloads using more than 80 space electronic units. The ASELSAN payloads have a power consumption of 5 kW and a total mass of 300 kilograms.
After the successful shipment of the satellite to the USA on June 4th, ASELSAN engineers, along with other TURKSAT-6A partners, completed the necessary inspections and testing activities at the launch site. The payloads designed and qualified by ASELSAN will serve in orbit for 15 years.
Following the successful completion of the launch and the early operations phase, payload testing will be performed for the first time by ASELSAN engineers. In 2024, TÜRKSAT-6A is expected to begin serving our nation’s satellite communication needs.
ASELSAN CEO & President Ahmet Akyol reflected on the company’s role in the TURKSAT-6A project, commending the personnel who developed the satellite’s communication payloads: “Our communication payloads on Türkiye's first indigenously developed satellite are a source of pride for ASELSAN. Our team has acquired significant know-how and expertise through our satellite projects, including TURKSAT-6A, and we are committed to advancing our presence in space technologies with new projects.”
