ANKARA
The construction of TURKSAT 6A, which is Turkey's first homemade telecommunications satellite, has started, the country's only communications operator announced Sunday.
"The satellite is developed and manufactured by 354 specialists under the leadership of the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK) in cooperation with Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI), Military Electronic Industries (ASELSAN) and CTech," TURKSAT's chief executive officer Ensar Gul told The Anadolu Agency.
"The construction period will take five years and the launch of the spacecraft is planned for 2020," Gul said.
"We will follow the design and production processes closely. [...] The project will cost about 548 million Turkish liras (approx. $205 million)."
"The satellite will include Asia, all of Turkey, and Europe in its coverage area, with an expected on-orbit life span of at least 15 years," Gul added.
