Türkiye has taken a big step forward in space technology by exporting its very own satellite services for the first time.
A Major First for Türkiye’s Space Journey
Turksat 6A, the nation’s first entirely domestic communication satellite, has begun providing satellite capacity to South Asian nations, including Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and India. This accomplishment was revealed in Dubai at the CABSAT 2025 Fair.
This deal is a major moment for Türkiye’s space industry. It means that the satellite, which was built by Turkish engineers from start to finish, is now being used in distant countries. The contract was signed with a Dubai-based business. Through this deal, Türkiye is now directly offering services to countries far away in Asia — something it has never done before using its own satellite.
Until now, satellite services from Türkiye in international markets depended on satellites made or operated by other countries. But now, with Turksat 6A, Türkiye is using its own space technology to provide services across a massive area. People from Central Asia to South Africa and Western Europe to India can now be reached by this satellite.
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Expanding Türkiye’s Reach Across Continents
The new deal with South Asian countries proves that Türkiye’s satellite technology is now ready to compete globally. By selling the satellite’s capacity to international users, Türkiye has shown that its technology is not just useful at home but also valuable abroad. The Turksat 6A satellite has opened the door to a region where Türkiye had limited space service activity before. This includes countries in South Asia, which are among the most populated areas in the world.
Approximately 5 billion individuals who live within the satellite’s service area can now be served by Turkey’s space firm, Turksat, thanks to this new market entry. Over half of the world’s population is represented by that. This kind of access is made possible by the advanced technology and strong planning behind Turksat 6A.
This move also increases the value and reputation of the Turksat brand in the global market. It proves that the efforts made to build and grow Türkiye’s satellite fleet are working well. The decision to focus on building a satellite fully designed and produced inside Türkiye is now paying off.
Details About Turksat 6A: What Makes It Special
Turksat 6A is not an ordinary satellite. It was designed, built, and tested entirely within Türkiye. A group of top organizations worked together to make it happen. These include teams responsible for satellite design, space systems, electronics, testing, and production. The project began with a contract signed on December 15, 2014, and was supported by government agencies and space technology experts.
On July 8, 2024, the satellite was launched from Florida’s Cape Canaveral. After the launch, it was placed in its planned orbit — a circular path around the Earth that is about 35,786 kilometers high. This type of orbit is known as a geostationary orbit, which means the satellite stays fixed over one spot on Earth.
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Here are some key facts about Turksat 6A:
Total weight: Around 4,220 kilograms
Dry weight (without fuel): About 1,780 kilograms
Orbital position: 42.0° East
Life span: Expected to operate for 16 years
Frequency Bands: Ku-Band, Ku-BSS Band, Ka-Band, and Q/V Band
Transponders: Over 20, used for sending and receiving signals in different frequency ranges
This satellite was made to be highly flexible, with advanced electronics and software. It can support many types of communication services, including television broadcasting, internet access, and data transfers across very large distances. Its high-tech parts allow it to serve both government and commercial needs.
The development work was carried out at USET (Space Systems Integration and Test Center), which is located at a major aerospace facility. Teams involved in the project handled everything from thermal and structural designs to the creation of software that controls the satellite. They also built the systems used to test the satellite before it was sent into space.
Turksat 6A marks a powerful turning point in Türkiye’s space story. The successful export of its satellite services to South Asia shows that the country’s space technology has moved from being a dream to a real product used around the world. With this achievement, Türkiye has expanded its satellite network and made its presence felt across many new regions — all with a satellite built by its own people.
