Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloğlu announced that Türkiye's first domestic communications satellite, Turksat 6A, is scheduled for launch from the SpaceX facility in Cape Canaveral, Florida, on July 8.

The satellite will be carried into orbit on a Falcon 9 rocket at 5:20 p.m. local time (2220 GMT).

Once in orbit, Turksat 6A will undergo orbital tests for at least a month after reaching 42 degrees East longitude.

Uraloğlu emphasized that the satellite's deployment will significantly expand Türkiye's satellite capacity, extending coverage to India, Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia.

This expansion is expected to enhance communication services, especially in broadcasting, positioning Turksat among the leaders with its six active communication satellites.

The minister highlighted the substantial impact of Turksat 6A's launch, noting that it will increase satellite coverage to over 5 billion people from the current 3.5 billion.

With a power capacity of 7.5 kilowatts, the satellite is set to operate for 15 years and is designed to reach Southeast Asia, an area not currently served by existing satellites.

The impending launch of Turksat 6A signifies a significant advancement for Türkiye's satellite capabilities and its position in the global communication network. (ILKHA)