SpaceX To Launch Turksat 5A by end of 2020

Turkey’s satellite, Turksat 5A, will be launched by US-based Space Exploration Technologies Corporation, known as SpaceX.

The satellite will be the fourth of the country. Ali Taha Koc, head of Turkey’s Presidential Digital Transformation Office, said the satellite is being built by Airbus Defense and Space, among the pioneers in aerospace technology, according to Anadolu Agency.

He said: “With Turksat 5A, Turkey will have a coverage area that encompasses the Middle East, Europe, North Africa and South Africa.”

Currently, Turkey has 3 active communications satellites. Turksat 5A, which is planned to improve broadband data networks and provide television services, is expected to have a 30-year orbit lifetime, carrying 42 transponders at a somewhat unused Turkish orbital slot of 31 degrees east in geostationary orbit.

A new generation of propulsion system was used in the production of Turksat 5A and Turksat 5B. Thanks to the system, the latter will also be able to spend more than 30 years of its life in orbit.

Turksat 5B, a broadband communication satellite of the country, is to be positioned at 42 degrees east longtitude. In addition, Turksat 6A is Turkey’s first fully domestic satellite. The two satellites are planned to be launched 2021 and 2022 respectively.

Rasat, Gokturk-1 and Gokturk-2 are the country’s Earth observation satellites.