Aselsan Pioneers Space Innovation with Homegrown Payloads on TURKSAT-6A

Türkiye’s premier communication satellite, TURKSAT-6A, featuring Ku-Band and X-Band communication payloads crafted by ASELSAN engineers, has been successfully launched by a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Florida, USA. This significant advancement positions Türkiye among a select group of nations capable of manufacturing their own communication satellites.

ASELSAN, Türkiye’s foremost defense enterprise, is commemorating a remarkable achievement in its space research and satellite payload innovation with the triumphant launch of the TURKSAT-6A satellite from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, USA, on July 9. On this groundbreaking day, Türkiye has entered an exclusive circle of 10 nations able to produce their own communication satellites. The Ku-Band and X-Band payloads engineered by ASELSAN will be pivotal throughout the satellite’s operational lifespan.

ASELSAN initiates a new era in space research with TURKSAT-6A

Initiating its venture into space technologies in 2000, ASELSAN has designed the Ku-Band and X-Band payloads for TURKSAT-6A as a key contributor to the initiative. Thanks to ASELSAN’s sophisticated Ku-Band payload, TURKSAT-6A will deliver communication solutions to Türkiye, Europe, and South Asia. This broadened coverage in South Asia significantly amplifies the operational range of Turkish satellites, heralding a new phase in the country’s aerospace capabilities.

As part of the TURKSAT-6A initiative, ASELSAN crafted and validated its own internal design, assembly, integration, and testing protocols for space missions. Over 100 ASELSAN staff members contributed to this demanding project, developing payloads that incorporate more than 80 space-grade electronic units. The ASELSAN payloads exhibit a power requirement of 5 kW and a cumulative weight of 300 kilograms.

Payload validation will be conducted by ASELSAN engineers

Following the successful transport of the satellite to the USA on June 4th, ASELSAN engineers, along with other partners of TURKSAT-6A, completed essential inspections and validation procedures at the launch facility. The payloads designed and certified by ASELSAN are set to operate in orbit for 15 years.

After the successful launch and initial operations phase, payload validation will be conducted for the first time by ASELSAN engineers. By 2024, TURKSAT-6A is poised to commence addressing the satellite communication requirements of our nation.

CEO Akyol: Essential expertise from TURKSAT-6A will enhance future initiatives

ASELSAN CEO & President Ahmet Akyol highlighted the company’s contribution to the TURKSAT-6A initiative, praising the personnel who developed the communication payloads: “Our communication payloads on Türkiye’s first domestically fabricated satellite are a point of pride for ASELSAN. Our team has gained invaluable knowledge and proficiency through our satellite undertakings, including TURKSAT-6A, and we are dedicated to furthering our footprint in space technologies with upcoming endeavors.”