Türksat 5A

Türksat 5A is one of the communication satellites operated by Türkiye. The satellite is designed to operate in the Ku-band to provide television broadcasting and data communication services. Equipped with a fully electric propulsion system, Türksat 5A operates in a geostationary orbit at 31° East longitude. Thanks to its wide coverage area, it provides services to Türkiye as well as parts of Europe, the Middle East, North Africa, and Asia. The satellite was developed with the goal of long-term operational use and is intended to serve as a key component of the country’s communication infrastructure.

Türksat 5A was launched into space on January 8, 2021, aboard a Falcon 9 rocket owned by SpaceX from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, United States. The first signal from the satellite was received approximately 35 minutes after launch. Following launch, the satellite was placed into a temporary elliptical orbit and, after a four-month orbit-raising process using its fully electric propulsion system, reached its target geostationary orbit at 31° East longitude.

Collaboration with Airbus and Production Process

A partnership was established with Airbus Defence and Space, a European-based company, for the production of Türksat 5A. The satellite was developed at Airbus’s facilities in Toulouse, France, based on the Eurostar E3000 Electric Orbit Raising (EOR) platform. Turkish engineers participated in the production process, and this involvement was significant in building expertise for future increases in domestic satellite manufacturing capacity. The satellite was designed with a fully electric propulsion system and planned for long-term operational use within the communication infrastructure.

Technical Specifications

Türksat 5A is Türkiye’s first communication satellite equipped with a fully electric propulsion system. This system, which uses ionized gas instead of chemical propellants, offers greater efficiency and enables longer mission durations. The satellite has a mass of approximately 3,500 kg, an electrical power generation capacity of 12 kW, and an expected operational life of around 30 years. Its payload includes 42 Ku-band transponders that enable high-capacity data transmission for television broadcasting, broadband internet, and mobile satellite services. Additionally, it is equipped with the technical infrastructure necessary for interactive data services and emergency communications. Türksat 5A is designed to operate in the Ku-band.

Launch Operation and Orbital Insertion Process

Türksat 5A was launched into space on January 8, 2021, aboard a Falcon 9 rocket owned by SpaceX from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, United States. The launch occurred at 04:28 Türkiye time. Approximately 33 to 35 minutes after launch, the satellite was placed into a temporary elliptical orbit and the first signal was received. Following launch, a four-month orbit-raising process was conducted using its fully electric propulsion system, after which the satellite reached its target geostationary orbit at 31° East longitude.

Orbital Position and Coverage Area

Türksat 5A operates in a geostationary orbit at 31° East longitude. Thanks to its wide coverage area, it provides services to a vast geographic region encompassing Türkiye, Europe, the Middle East, North Africa, Central and Southwest Asia, and the Republic of South Africa. This coverage enables national and international broadcasting and data transmission activities.

Control and Commissioning Process

The operational control of the satellite is managed by the Türksat Gölbaşı Satellite Ground Station. After completion of post-launch testing and verification procedures, Türksat 5A was commissioned in mid-2021. At this stage, the transponders were activated and broadcasting services were initiated.

Significance in the Context of Space Policy

The successful deployment and operational activation of Türksat 5A demonstrate Türkiye’s advancement to a higher stage in its civil and commercial space activities. The project serves as preparation for subsequent initiatives including Türksat 5B and the domestically produced Türksat 6A, and the engineering expertise gained forms the foundation for Türkiye’s goals in domestic satellite production and launch capabilities. Türksat 5A is also directly aligned with Türkiye’s space policy objectives of institutional development, the formulation of independent space strategies, and the reduction of technological dependence on foreign sources.