Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu issued a written statement regarding the completion of Türksat 6A's orbital journey, stating, “We will commission Türksat 6A after completing its testing processes in the first quarter of 2025.”
Uraloğlu recalled that Türksat 6A recently began its movement toward its permanent orbit located at 42 degrees East and emphasized that after its final thruster firing at around 05:00 AM Turkish time, the satellite successfully reached its geosynchronous orbit at an altitude of 35,786 kilometers as of today.
Noting that Türksat 6A will now undergo a series of tests in its geosynchronous orbit, Uraloğlu said, “Türkiye’s first domestically and nationally produced communications satellite, Türksat 6A, has reached its permanent service orbit at 42 degrees East after performing six thruster burns. We will commission our national pride, Türksat 6A, after completing its testing processes in the first quarter of 2025. With this, we will elevate Türkiye into the category of international players in the field of satellite and space technologies.”
Uraloğlu reminded that Türksat 6A was launched from SpaceX’s Cape Canaveral launch facility on July 9 and reached its temporary orbit at 50 degrees East on July 20. He noted that the satellite, most of which was produced in Türkiye, successfully passed all its payload tests conducted in this temporary orbit.
“Türksat 6A Is the Result of a 20-Year Dream”
Minister Uraloğlu stated that Türksat 6A’s final acceptance will be completed after its orbital tests are concluded in the 42 degrees East slot. He emphasized that this satellite holds great significance for Türkiye’s presence in space, “All our citizens should know that this satellite is not merely a communication satellite. It is the result of a project that will both shape Türkiye’s future in space and enhance its global influence.”
Uraloğlu pointed out that the high domestic production rate of Türksat 6A was made possible thanks to the Technology Transfer Training Program initiated by Türksat. He elaborated, “Through this program initiated by Türksat—our national satellite operator—Türksat engineers participated in the construction of Türksat 3A as well as Türksat 4A and 4B. They were also involved in the design, production, and testing processes of Türksat 5A and 5B. Today, with the contributions of Türksat engineers who received training in space technologies, we have produced Türksat 6A with the highest domestic contribution rate. In fact, Türksat 6A, whose contract was signed 10 years ago, is the culmination of a 20-year-long dream that began with the founding of Türksat.”
“Türkiye Will Reach 5 Billion People with Türksat Satellites”
Uraloğlu also noted that institutions such as ASELSAN, TUSAŞ, TÜBİTAK UZAY, and CTECH played major roles in the production of Türksat 6A, “Every component produced domestically by these companies has now gained spaceflight heritage. This is crucial because now that these components have proven their reliability in space, they are ready for export worldwide. Every component we have produced can now be used in future satellites with different mission requirements.”
Minister Uraloğlu added that Türksat continues to operate five active communication satellites—Türksat 3A, 4A, 4B, 5A, and 5B—in the 31, 42, and 50 degrees East orbits, serving 3.5 billion people around the globe.
He noted that with Türksat 6A’s commissioning in the first quarter of 2025, Türksat will expand into previously uncovered regions such as Southeast Asia. He stated,“With Türksat 6A, Türksat’s coverage area will expand to include India, Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia. Thus, the population reached by Türksat’s satellites will increase from 3.5 billion to over 5 billion people. Türkiye will become capable of reaching more than 65 percent of the world’s population with its own communications satellites. The transformation that Türkiye has undergone over the past 20 years is remarkable. The entire world has witnessed Türkiye’s strength on land, sea, railways, and now in space. Türkiye continues to lead the region and maintain its influence globally—and with Türksat 6A, it has also claimed its place in space.”