Türkiye's new satellite Türksat 5B was successfully launched into space from Cape Canaveral Base in Florida, USA.
Deputy Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Dr. Ömer Fatih Sayan, Türksat Board Chairman Prof. Dr. Kemal Yüksek, Türksat General Manager Hasan Hüseyin Ertok, Türksat Board Member Dr. Şuayip Birinci, and accompanying bureaucrats watched the launch at the launch center at Cape Canaveral Base.
Transport and Infrastructure Minister Adil Karaismailoğlu, together with Vice President Fuat Oktay, watched the moment Türksat 5B was launched into space from Cape Canaveral Base in Florida, USA, live at the ceremony held at Türksat's Gölbaşı Campus. Information Technologies and Communication Authority President Ömer Abdullah Karagözoğlu also attended the program.
Recalling that Türksat 5A was sent into space at the beginning of this year and put into service in June, Karaismailoğlu emphasized the importance of communication and Türksat, which were targeted first in the treacherous coup attempt on July 15.
Stating that Türksat continues its development and work, Karaismailoğlu announced that 6A will start to be discussed next year.
Expressing that with the launch of Türksat 6A, whose manufacturing and testing work is ongoing, Turkey will be among the first 10 countries in the world that produce their own satellites and are represented in space, Karaismailoğlu said, "Just like in all sectors, we have begun to make our presence and power in space felt to the whole world, the great and powerful Turkey."
Stating that Türksat 5B was launched at 06:58, Karaismailoğlu said, "Türksat 5B has embarked on a 164-day journey. With Türksat 5B, we will reach all regions that we cannot reach by sea, air, and land."
Drawing attention to working together with ASELSAN, TUSAŞ, and TÜBİTAK UZAY in the production of Türksat 6A, Karaismailoğlu emphasized the importance of human resources.
Minister Karaismailoğlu: Coverage Area Will Continue to Expand with Türksat 6A
Expressing that they have satellite capacity serving more than one-third of the world in terms of coverage area, Karaismailoğlu stated that Türksat 5A serves more than 30% of the world in television broadcasting, Türksat 5B, which is focused on data communication, will serve in different regions such as the Persian Gulf, Red Sea, North and South Africa, and Nigeria, and the coverage area will continue to expand with Türksat 6A.
Stating that Türksat 5B contains two domestic and national components, Karaismailoğlu said, "For the first time, a satellite with domestic and national components will operate in space, but the most important for us is the fully domestic and national satellite Türksat 6A. Our domestic and national contribution in technology will continue to increase. We especially want to use 5G with a fully domestic and national infrastructure. We are planning 6G afterwards. It is very valuable for us to have the interest of young people to become a country that produces, develops, and exports technology."
Pointing out the importance of the transformation experienced in the last 20 years, Karaismailoğlu stated that Turkey's power has been seen by the whole world in the sea, land, railways, and space homeland, and it will continue to be a leader in its region and a country with a say in the world.
Stating that Türksat 5B will increase its data transmission capacity by 20 times, Karaismailoğlu said, "Türksat 5B satellite, which will settle into the 42 degrees east orbit, has completed its critical stages and started its journey. It will settle into its orbit in June and begin its operations after a 1.5-month testing process."