This article was automatically translated from the original Turkish version.
TÜRKSAT 6A is Türkiye’s first fully domestic and nationally developed communications satellite. It was produced through a collaboration between TUSAŞ, ASELSAN, and CTech under the project management of TÜBİTAK UZAY. The satellite, with a launch mass of approximately 4.2 tons and a 16-year operational lifespan, is operating in a geostationary orbit at 42° East. Equipped with more than 20 transponders across different frequency bands, TÜRKSAT 6A provides communication and broadcasting services covering large parts of Türkiye, Europe, Asia, and Africa. The project was launched into space on 9 July 2024 aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and was commissioned in April 2025. All operational processes are conducted via the domestically developed mission control software platform TStar-GO, created by TÜBİTAK UZAY.
The TÜRKSAT 6A project was initiated in 2014 with the goal of developing Türkiye’s first fully domestic and national communications satellite. The “TÜRKSAT-6A National Communications Satellite Project Agreement and Additional Protocol” was signed the same year by the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, TÜBİTAK, and TÜRKSAT. By 2017, design and engineering work had reached completion, and production of qualification test models for the satellite had begun.
Between 2018 and 2022, the engineering model, thermal-structural qualification model, electrical-electronic model, and flight model were developed, and system-level tests were successfully completed. In 2023, the integration process was finalized, and launch preparations were planned to be carried out using SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket.
TÜRKSAT 6A was launched into space on 9 July 2024 from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, United States, and conducted its first test broadcast on 17 February 2025. Following the completion of all system tests, it was officially commissioned on 21 April 2025 in a ceremony attended by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
The TÜRKSAT 6A project was implemented under TÜBİTAK’s 1007 Public Institution Research and Development Projects Support Program. It was funded by the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure and TÜBİTAK, with TÜRKSAT A.Ş. serving as the end-user institution. The satellite was developed through a collaboration between TÜBİTAK UZAY as project manager, and the companies TUSAŞ, ASELSAN, and CTech.
After the completion of the design phase, the satellite’s engineering model (EM), thermal-structural qualification model (TSQM), electrical-electronic satellite model (EESM), and flight model (FM) were produced. System-level tests conducted using these models covered launch conditions and space environment simulations.
The majority of the software, hardware, and subsystems used in the development process were produced using domestic capabilities. The ground infrastructure was prepared for operation at test and mission control centers established at the TÜRKSAT Gölbaşı Campus. Throughout the project, a workforce of engineers and a production infrastructure specialized in satellite technologies were developed.
TÜRKSAT 6A was launched into space on 9 July 2024 at 02:30 Türkiye time from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, United States, aboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket. The launch operation, delayed by approximately two hours due to weather conditions, was successfully completed.
Thirty-five minutes after launch, the satellite separated from the rocket, and the first signal was successfully received at the 65th minute. This signal confirmed communication with the ground control center. The first command was transmitted from the ground control center to the satellite one hour after signal acquisition.
Following launch, TÜRKSAT 6A entered an elliptical temporary orbit with a perigee of 300 kilometers and an apogee of 70,000 kilometers. During this phase, the solar panels were deployed and power generation began. Using its chemical propulsion system, the satellite completed a four-stage maneuver process to reach its final geostationary orbit at 42° East longitude.
Throughout the orbit insertion process, orbit determination, burn parameter calculation, burn command execution, and orbit control operations were conducted via the domestically developed mission control software TStar-GO. After all tests were completed, TÜRKSAT 6A was officially commissioned on 21 April 2025.
TÜRKSAT 6A is designed to provide long-term communication services with a 16-year operational lifespan and a design lifespan exceeding 22.5 years. The satellite was launched into space on 9 July 2024, conducted its first test broadcast on 17 February 2025, and was officially commissioned on 21 April 2025.
From the start of its mission, orbit insertion, testing phases, and commissioning procedures were completed according to the planned schedule. All these processes were conducted via the domestically developed mission control software TStar-GO by TÜBİTAK UZAY.
Among TÜRKSAT 6A’s achievements are the successful commissioning of Türkiye’s first fully domestically produced communications satellite, thereby placing Türkiye among the 11 countries capable of launching their own communications satellites. Additionally, the domestically developed subsystems and equipment developed under the project have reduced Türkiye’s dependence on foreign technologies in satellite systems and established an infrastructure usable for future space projects.
The mission control activities of TÜRKSAT 6A are conducted entirely through the domestically developed TStar-GO mission control software, created by TÜBİTAK UZAY. From launch through orbit insertion, testing, and commissioning, all processes were executed via this platform.
The mission control system performs functions including satellite system management, planning of orbital maneuvers, and monitoring of mission operations. Communication, command transmission, and data reception between the satellite and ground control centers are also carried out through the same infrastructure.
System operation is managed from control centers established at the TÜRKSAT Gölbaşı Campus. All software, hardware, and monitoring systems used in operational processes are domestically produced. This structure constitutes one of the key components reducing external dependency in the planning and execution of satellite missions.
TÜRKSAT 6A provides services across a wide geographic area encompassing Türkiye’s Western and Eastern coverage regions. The satellite expands the coverage area of existing TÜRKSAT communications satellites to include countries such as India, Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia.
Through more than 20 transponders operating in different frequency bands, television broadcasting, communication services, and data transmission are delivered. This coverage structure is designed to serve a population of approximately five billion people.
The satellite’s high power capacity and wide bandwidth capabilities enable uninterrupted transmission of television and radio broadcasts and support efficient data communication and broadband applications. Following its commissioning, TÜRKSAT 6A began providing infrastructure for the broadcast of 50 television channels on Sri Lanka’s Freesat Lanka platform.
The TÜRKSAT 6A project was conducted internationally while maintaining Türkiye’s priority for domestic production. The satellite was launched into space from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in the United States aboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket. The launch process was monitored simultaneously by Turkish engineering teams at control centers in both the United States and Türkiye.
Following commissioning, a capacity agreement was signed between TÜRKSAT and Sri Lanka’s Freesat Lanka broadcasting platform. Under this agreement, 50 television channels are now broadcasting via TÜRKSAT 6A, aiming to transform Türkiye’s satellite capacity into an international service export.
These collaborations represent the first international commercial steps taken to provide communication and broadcasting services to countries within TÜRKSAT 6A’s coverage area.
TÜRKSAT 6A is the first project enabling Türkiye to achieve full independent production capacity in satellite communications. Developed using domestic engineering expertise and national technologies, it has significantly reduced external dependency.
The hardware, software, and subsystems developed under the project have established a reusable infrastructure for future satellite and space missions. TÜRKSAT 6A has enabled Türkiye to join the group of 11 countries capable of developing satellites using their own resources, marking a significant achievement in national capability in this field.
Additionally, the project has created new production and research capacities within Türkiye’s space ecosystem through collaboration between domestic industrial entities and universities. This has established a sustainable system in terms of both engineering infrastructure and human resources.
TÜRKSAT 6A is directly linked to the objectives of Türkiye’s National Space Program. The engineering experience and technical knowledge gained during the project’s development serve as a foundation for future space missions, including the Lunar Research Mission.
According to information provided by the Ministry of Industry and Technology, the technical knowledge acquired during the development of TÜRKSAT 6A is being applied to the design and integration of systems required for the lunar mission. The project, carried out through collaboration between TÜBİTAK UZAY, TUSAŞ, ASELSAN, and CTech, is recognized as a major milestone in Türkiye’s transition to becoming a producer nation in space technologies.
In this regard, TÜRKSAT 6A functions as an engineering bridge enabling Türkiye to transfer its experience in communications satellites to deep space missions.
The TÜRKSAT 6A project was executed through collaboration between public institutions and defense industry organizations. The primary executor of the project was TÜBİTAK Space Technologies Research Institute (TÜBİTAK UZAY). Financial support was provided by the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure and TÜBİTAK, while TÜRKSAT A.Ş. served as the end-user institution.
During the production and integration phases of the satellite systems, Turkish Aerospace Industries Inc. (TUSAŞ), ASELSAN, and CTech were responsible for development. These organizations were tasked with developing the satellite platform, communication systems, power management, control subsystems, and software components.
In addition, various subsystems, test infrastructures, and engineering support were provided by domestic industrial companies and universities under the project. This collaborative structure enabled a significant increase in the national production rate during the development of TÜRKSAT 6A.
The TÜRKSAT 6A project has expanded Türkiye’s domestic production capacity in the fields of communications and space technologies and established infrastructure for high-tech exports. The majority of equipment, software, and components used in the satellite and ground systems were developed using domestic capabilities.
The project enhanced the expertise of engineering personnel involved in satellite manufacturing and testing and contributed to the formation of a skilled workforce in this field. Furthermore, the GEO satellite development infrastructure established for this project enables Türkiye to design future communications and observation satellites domestically.
With the commissioning of TÜRKSAT 6A, Türkiye’s external dependency in satellite communications has decreased, and technologies developed using national resources have been converted into economic value. The technical knowledge and production competencies gained during this process have directly contributed to Türkiye’s space and defense industry projects.
History
Development Process
Technical Specifications
Launch and Orbit
Operational Duration and Achievements
Mission Control System
Coverage Area and Services
International Cooperation
Strategic Importance
Role in Türkiye’s Space Program
Project Stakeholders
Economic and Technological Contributions
