Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu announced that the temporary orbit tests of Turkey's first domestic and national communication satellite Türksat 6A were successfully completed. Minister Uraloğlu said, "Türksat 6A will reach its permanent orbit by the end of the year, and we will put it into service in the first quarter of 2025."
Uraloğlu reminded that Turkey’s first domestic and national communication satellite Türksat 6A reached the 50-degree East test orbit on July 20. Stating that the satellite, which was fixed at 35 kilometers, was subjected to hundreds of tests in 786 different systems, Uraloğlu said, “We applied Power Subsystem Tests, Satellite Management Subsystem Tests, Orbit Orientation and Control Subsystem Tests, Chemical Propulsion Subsystem Tests, Electric Propulsion Subsystem Tests, Thermal Control Subsystem Tests, Telemetry, Telecommand and Distance Measurement Subsystem Tests and Payload Subsystem Tests on our satellite. Our satellite successfully passed all the tests.”
Experimental Reaction Wheel Equipment Tested in Orbit for the First Time
Uraloğlu stated that Türksat 6A performed North-South and East-West maneuvers at regular intervals in the 50-degree East orbit. Uraloğlu also underlined that the East maneuver was successfully performed with the ignition of the electric propulsion subsystem produced with domestic and national technology.
Uraloğlu noted that the functionality of subsystems and experimental equipment such as the Orbital Orientation Control System, Satellite Management System, Power System, Thermal Control System on the satellite were also tested during the orbital tests, and continued his words as follows:
“As a result of the tests, we saw that the subsystems worked together flawlessly. The Experimental Reaction Wheel equipment designed and manufactured by Tübitak Space was tested for the first time in orbit and successfully driven. At the same time, it was seen that the Experimental Sun Sensor equipment successfully fulfilled its function. Tests were also carried out for the TTM subsystem manufactured by Ctech in August. During the tests, the Telecommand Receiver and Telemetry/Beacon Signal Transmitter equipment designed and manufactured by Ctech also worked successfully and successfully completed the tests.”
Will be in Service in the First Quarter of 2025
Minister Uraloğlu, who stated that they have also completed the Payload Subsystem Tests, emphasized that the satellite ground station and software, as well as the subsystems used in the satellite, were also produced with national resources. “Currently, all functions of the satellite are normal and the process is progressing as planned. We have started preparations for its journey to the 42-degree East orbit. We will take our country one step further in the space race by putting it into service in the first quarter of 2025.” he said.
“It Will Serve the Domestic and National Products of Our Defense Industry”
Stating that Turkey will gain significant benefits after Türksat 6A enters service, Uraloğlu noted the following:
“With a local content ratio of over 80%, every part of our satellite will have gained space experience. Since all of these parts can successfully serve in space, the way will be opened for export to the whole world. All countries that produce communication satellites will be able to buy these products from us. We will not only be a country that produces communication satellites, we will also export all satellite parts. Our first local and national communication satellite will serve especially the local and national products of our defense industry.”
$250 Million Export Revenue with One Satellite
Uraloğlu underlined that Turkey could earn $250 million in export revenue by producing just one communications satellite. Uraloğlu said, “In addition, Türksat 6A will make a significant contribution to creating a trained human resource in the satellite sector. Thanks to the technology and experience gained, our country will have a significant market share in the design and production of satellites and their components.”
