At 7:30 on July 9, SpaceX launched Türkiye's communication satellite T ü rksat 6A using a Falcon 9 rocket.
This is Türkiye's first completely independent communication satellite, which is regarded as "the symbol of Türkiye's independence".
Türkiye has therefore become the 11th country capable of manufacturing its own communication satellites.
The T ü rksat 6A satellite weighs approximately 4.25 tons and is equipped with 20 Ku band transponders, with a total power of 7.5 kilowatts and a design lifespan of 15 years.
It is equipped with a pair of solar panels, with a length of 10 meters, a total area of 37.7 square meters, a power generation of 9.2 kilowatts, and uses xenon driven Hall effect thrusters for in orbit maneuvering.
In this project, Türkiye has tested 24 kinds and 84 pieces of domestic equipment, including flight computers, power dispatching units, interface control equipment, star sensors, solar sensors, reaction wheels, electric propulsion subsystems, and communication equipment.
The first stage booster B1076.15 of the Falcon 9 rocket used for this launch was successfully recovered again.
This is SpaceX's 71st space launch of 2024, including 68 Falcon 9 launches, 1 Falcon Heavy launch, and 2 Starship launches.
The
The fifth starship test flight in history is approaching, expected to take place in early August, and the new overweight booster B12 has arrived at the launch pad.