Turksat Chairman announces that Turksat 6-A construction is underway

Türksat attended the 2nd Global SatShow, which brought together prominent companies from the world satellite and space technology sector and which was organized this year under the “Smart Connections” theme.

At the Istanbul Haliç Congress Centre, where the conference was hosted by ESOA (EMEA Satellite Operators Association) along with MÜSİAD’s strategic partnership, Türksat took its place among the sponsors.

At the opening of the 2nd Global SatShow, Türksat Chairman of the Board, Vecdi Gönül stated during his speech that the evaluation of tenders was ongoing. He said, “We plan to bring Türksat 5A and Türksat 5B into service by the end of the year 2019.”

Gönül noted that communication, throughout history, has been considered a vital subject matter, and an area of service for the whole country in times of peace, as much as during times of war. He added that this issue is even more important for Turkey, which happens to be located in a region where the world’s most intense conflicts take place, and happens to be situated between three continents, and is the intersection of trade and energy routes, and surrounded by bodies of water on all three sides.

He stated that in the last 10 years with the development of satellite and space technologies and integration activities in Turkey, these areas of technological developments have accelerated the advancement to different sectors across the country.

Gönül mentioned that although in the short run it may seem economical to purchase satellites from abroad, in the long run it is not a desirable position for any country to continue its external dependency.

Gönül pointed out that on the other hand, it is a security-based strategic decision for countries to pursue manufacturing of their own satellites. He added, “Let us not forget that Turkey having reached the opportunity to design its own satellite systems and carry out satellite integration in its own facility, means that strategic information can be accessed easily and at any time.”

Vecdi Gönül, stated that when satellite communication service providing operators throughout the world and satellite manufacturers are looked at, the importance of Türksat is increasing day by day. He said “In our country, satellite communication services are provided through Türksat satellites. It is because of this our Türksat 1B, Türksat 1C, Türksat 2A, Türksat 3A, Türksat 4A and Türksat 4B satellites were sent into space at different times.”

Gönül noted that in order to take this service one step further, the Türksat 5A and Türksat 5B communication satellite project is ongoing, and where domestic companies are set to contribute to this project, satellite manufacturing companies were sent Information Request Form and Request for Proposal packages and the last proposals have been received.

Gönül added “The evaluation period for the tenders are ongoing. We plan to bring Türksat 5A and Türksat 5B into service by the end of the year 2019.”

On the other hand, due to advancing communication technologies in the world and the increasing needs of Turkey’s communication sector, it has become imperative to carry out operations regarding the manufacturing of our national satellite systems, added Gönül. He continued by saying:

“In line with this context, the Türksat 6A Domestic Communication Satellite Development and Production Project, which is planned to be developed and manufactured with domestic resources, has actually started. The Türksat 6A project, will be produced domestically in cooperation with institutions and organization in our country that are capable of satellite design and production. In this project, the Ministry of Transportation, Maritime and Communication and Türksat are the customer institutions, TUBİTAK Space Project is the administrative institution, ASELSAN and TAI companies are the project coordinator institutions. Turkey, with the guidance of TÜBİTAK and the joint cooperation of Türksat, will produce its own satellite at the TUSAŞ-TAI Satellite Systems Integration and Test Centre located at Kazan, Ankara. Since 2003, our strong will has played a big part in regards to the emphasis we have put on domestic production in the defense industry.”

The establishment of the Turkish Space Agency is of strategic importance.

Gönül expressed that in order to coordinate business cooperation and to direct the sector, it is of strategic importance in this context for the establishment of the Turkish Space Agency.

He added that in the satellite industry, in order to reduce costs significantly, various collaborations are established in the satellite production platform field. He said, “We encourage working towards meeting the different needs of various companies through a joint satellite.”

Talking at the session titled “Future Cooperations in the Satellite Industry,” Türksat CEO, Cenk Sen said for future investments, before resources become limited, costs must be reduced.”

Şen, noted that resources regarding frequency were limited, and as time passes, limitations have increased in regards to internet and IT components of objects.

He pointed out that there is a serious limitation of resources, and added that they saw a shrinkage in the market due to this, as well as due to economic reasons.

He pointed out that the costs for future investments should be reduced before resources become scarce, he also emphasized that it is very important for them to cooperate in order to reduce costs.

Şen, explained that the market had started to shrink and that it posed a danger to them. He said, “This will bring aggressive competition and prices will reduce, which is a profitable situation for our customers, but this harbors danger for us.”

Şen, stated with innovations while the cost would decrease the quality would increase, the solution is to increase R&D and innovations through cooperations.

Referring to the fact that every nation has a right to orbit, Sen said, “Due to certain regulations, if one does not send a satellite to orbit within 3 years, you lose your rights, and because of such regulations, every nation feels obliged to send a satellite to space. This creates more capacity than what is necessary.”

Original published at: http://spacewatchme.com/2016/12/turksat-chairman-announces-turksat-6-construction-underway/