Turksat 6A satellite undergoes final tests at Cape Canaveral
Türkiye's Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, Abdulkadir Uraloğlu, announced that the final tests of the Turksat 6A satellite are currently being conducted at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
The satellite departed from Türkiye on the night of June 4, transported by an Antonov An-124 aircraft, and arrived in Florida after a 19-hour journey.
Uraloğlu confirmed that the Turksat-6A Satellite Project is on track and highlighted the meticulous monitoring of the satellite's activities by the Ministry, project stakeholders, and relevant institutions. According to the project schedule, the Turksat 6A is set to be launched into space aboard SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket in the second week of July.
The Turksat-6A satellite, which successfully completed nearly 400 environmental and functional tests during its production process, is undergoing post-travel tests in SpaceX's hangar at Cape Canaveral. After these tests, the satellite will embark on a 10-day journey to its designated orbit, followed by orbital tests to ensure its functionality.
Uraloğlu emphasized the significant expansion in coverage area and capacity that the Turksat 6A satellite will bring. Once operational, the satellite will extend the reach of Turksat’s services to India, Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia, increasing the population coverage from 3.5 billion to over 5 billion people. This expansion will enable Türkiye to reach more than 65 percent of the world's population with its communication satellites.
With a power capacity of 7.2 kW, the Turksat 6A satellite is expected to provide service for 15 years. It will serve the broadcasting sector with its Ku Band capacity, enhancing Turkey's satellite communication capabilities.
The successful launch and operation of the Turksat 6A satellite will mark a significant milestone in Türkiye’s space and communication technology sector, reinforcing its position in the global satellite industry. (TILKHA)