Newsletters
Türkiye’s Turksat 7A satellite project is approaching the production phase, with the specification process nearly complete, Turksat General Manager Ahmet Hamdi Atalay said.
Atalay told Anadolu Agency that the project’s paperwork had been completed and the specification document was close to being finalized.
“The paperwork for the Turksat 7A Project is complete, and the specification is about to be finalized,” Atalay said. “It will probably be shared with stakeholders in its final form next month, and after that, we will move into the production phase.”
Atalay said Türkiye has reached an important stage in satellite and space studies, noting that the country has both communication and observation satellites.
He said a successful space ecosystem has been built across the public sector, private sector and academia.
Atalay said the satellite sector is not only commercial but also strategic, adding that other satellites are currently being produced.
He said Türkiye’s presence in the field is of major importance.
“From now on, our goal in every field is always to be among the top 10 in the world. Anything below the top 10 is not enough for us,” Atalay said.
He said the Turksat 7A project would carry Türkiye one step further in this field.
Atalay said Turksat is a stakeholder in Türkiye’s Spaceport Project, which the country has started working to establish in Somalia.
He said Turksat will provide all necessary support for the project.
Atalay also pointed to global restrictions in satellite launch systems and the risks created by external dependence.
He said launch companies can interfere with payload content. Under the current system, launch providers may examine the technical content of satellites and avoid offering launch services if critical components, such as military payloads, are present.
Atalay said high costs and global congestion can cause delays of up to one year in launch schedules.
He said Türkiye’s efforts to establish its own launch system are vital.
“When we establish our own launch system, we will be able to meet our own needs whenever we want and also gain a share in this large market,” Atalay said.
“As Turksat, we aim to be the first company to use our national launch system. Our hope is to send our Turksat 7A satellite, which is under preparation, into space with our own launch system and to make our infrastructure ready before this process,” he added.
A protocol covering financing support for Turksat 7A was signed on June 19, 2025, as part of Turksat’s goal to increase its communication capacity in space.
The protocol was signed between Turksat and the Transport, Maritime Affairs and Communications Research Center under the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure.
The agreement set the framework for ministry support in the construction process of Turksat 7A.
The Turksat 7A project was launched because the design life of the Turksat 3A satellite, which operates at the 42 degrees east orbit, is approaching its end.
The satellite is planned to enter service in 2029.
Turksat 7A is expected to support Türkiye’s digital future vision with higher data capacity, stronger coverage and flexible resource management capability.
Set as preferred source
Set as preferred source
1 min read
1 min read
