Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu stated,“We have started preparations for a new satellite to replace Türksat 3A. We aim for this satellite to be domestically produced and equipped with more advanced capabilities.”
Evaluating Türksat’s satellite projects, Minister Uraloğlu recalled that Türkiye’s space journey began with Türksat 1A and continues today with the country's fully domestic and national satellite, Türksat 6A. He noted that there are currently six communications satellites belonging to Türksat in space: Türksat 3A, 4A, 4B, 5A, 5B, and 6A.
Uraloğlu also pointed out that the domestically produced Göktürk observation satellite is currently operational in orbit. He emphasized, “Our first domestic and national communication satellite, Türksat 6A, holds a special significance for us. It was entirely designed by Turkish engineers and manufactured by Turkish companies. We are now in the final phase of its testing, and it will soon be commissioned.” Minister Uraloğlu highlighted that with Türksat 6A beginning service, Türksat will, for the first time, operate six satellites simultaneously and four satellites in the same orbital position. He underlined that with its expanding capacity, Türksat will be able to offer a wide range of satellite communication products and services to customers on a global scale. Uraloğlu also emphasized that since 2021, Türkiye has launched three new communication satellites into space and that there are very few countries in the world that can launch three communication satellites within a span of 3–4 years.
“Türkiye Has Great Potential in Space Studies”
Minister Uraloğlu stated that Türkiye has made significant progress in the field of space and satellite technologies over the past 30–40 years and added, “These efforts have intensified especially in the last 20 years. Our investments in space technologies are critical steps that will determine Türkiye’s future standing. Türksat 3A, one of the actively operating satellites in orbit, has reached the end of its theoretical lifespan, but it can still be used for a few more years. We have now started preparations for the satellite that will replace Türksat 3A, and we aim for this new satellite to be domestically produced and have more advanced capabilities. Türksat 3A is currently our oldest satellite in space.”
Minister Uraloğlu emphasized that Türkiye has great potential for future endeavors in space studies and noted that interest from the private sector in this area is increasing. He stated that Türksat is one of the region’s strongest satellite operators and added, “We are continuously increasing our strength and capacity. Today, not only Türksat but also many other companies are carrying out space-related projects. Low Earth orbit satellites are being launched, and new projects are being developed. In the very near future, Türkiye could hold a much more prominent position in space.”