Turksat 6A was placed in the capsule before launch.
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Turksat 6A was placed in the capsule before launch.
The orbital transfer planned for Türksat 6A will provide operational experience for the Moon Research Program Project (AYAP).
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Strong AI
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Connecta IoT satellites of one of our country's leading satellite companies
@WeArePlanS
are being launched into space today with the SpaceX Falcon 9 Transporter-11 mission.
@WeArePlanS
are being launched into space today with the SpaceX Falcon 9 Transporter-11 mission.
Strong AI
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Turkey's first domestically produced communication satellite, TÜRKSAT 6A, will take its place in space on July 9th.
Developed under the leadership of TÜBİTAK UZAY with over 80% local content, TÜRKSAT 6A will serve at an altitude of 35,000 km for 15 years.
The Electric Propulsion Engine, which will perform the necessary east-west maneuvers to keep the satellite in its orbit, was designed, produced, and tested in the @tubitakuzay laboratories.
This system, which operates with high efficiency and uses xenon gas, offers more maneuverability with less fuel consumption compared to other propulsion systems.
The 300W system used in our first domestically produced satellite with an electric propulsion system, İMECE, which was launched last year, has been operating successfully. Now, we have developed a 1500W electric propulsion system for TÜRKSAT 6A, a much larger satellite that will operate in a higher orbit.
With the technologies we produce, we are not only capable of producing satellites but also exporting our satellite subsystems, progressing towards becoming a global technology provider!
One of the systems we produced for TÜRKSAT 6A at TÜBİTAK UZAY, the Electric Propulsion System, came to life in our mechanical and electrical production workshops featuring a class 10,000 clean room.
Our Electric Propulsion Engine Laboratory, where the design, production, and testing processes take place, is equipped with three vacuum tanks, two of which are large. These tanks are equipped with various test setups used to measure and analyze the performance of propulsion systems.
The vacuum tanks established to conduct these tests contain critical devices such as a thrust stand for measuring thrust, a Faraday measurement system for determining exhaust gas properties, and a thermal measurement system for determining thermal properties.
For details:
We successfully fired our electric thrust engine!
We fired the HALE 1500 electric thrust engine, which we developed within the scope of the TÜRKSAT 6A project, for 7 minutes.
Thus, our electric thrust engine, which we produced entirely with domestic and national resources, gained space history in geostationary orbit at an altitude of 35,786 km.
While we continue the orbital tests of TÜRKSAT 6A, we also need to perform periodic position protection maneuvers to keep our satellite in orbit against the disruptive factors originating from the Earth, the Sun and the Moon and to maintain a safe distance from other satellites. For this purpose, we will use two domestically-made Electric Thrust Engines that we have installed to keep our satellite in its longitude and maintain its circular orbit. Thanks to our electric thrust engine, which we have successfully used in the HALE 300 version on our İMECE satellite, we will now be able to maneuver with less fuel and have the opportunity to increase the mission life of our satellite.This step we have taken in our national space journey is the work of our country's independent technological power and our determined engineers. We are proud of our teams!
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Turkey Wants to Build a Spacecraft Launchpad in Somalia
Turkey has held talks with Somalia about setting up a site to test-fire missiles and space rockets from the Horn of Africa country, according to people familiar with the matter.
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If you're stuck with the paywall:
(Bloomberg) -- Turkey has held talks with Somalia about setting up a site to test-fire missiles and space rockets from the Horn of Africa country, according to people familiar with the matter.
Ankara’s ballistic-missile program requires long-range testing and Somalia’s location on the eastern tip of mainland Africa is ideal for firing toward the Indian Ocean, said the people, who asked not to be identified discussing sensitive subjects. The country is close to the equator, making it a suitable site for a space port, they said. Testing near the equator can also help boost the range and efficiency of space rockets.
Turkey has long aspired to join a space race traditionally dominated by global powers, and plans to launch a rocket have been underway for some years. That could potentially be fired from Somalia, the people said. Turkish officials are confident Somalia will agree to its request, the people said. Turkey’s defense ministry declined to comment.
Hussein Sheikh-Ali, national security adviser to Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, declined to comment when contacted by phone on Tuesday. The chairman of the parliamentary sub-committee on defense, Abdi Ahmed Koshin, said he was unaware of any such agreement with Turkey.
Turkey has been working on increasing the range of its domestically-built Tayfun missiles from about 560 kilometers (350 miles), President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in 2022. A Somalia launch site would remove the risk of debris falling into residential areas and other countries, the people said.
Turkey is one of the few foreign powers strengthening ties with Somalia as it tries to rebuild after years of clan warfare. Over the past decade, Turkey has expanded its influence through defense cooperation and infrastructure projects, and has plans for hydrocarbon exploration. It’s involved in mediation between the government in Mogadishu, the capital, and leaders in Somaliland, a semi-autonomous region.
Along with the United Arab Emirates and Egypt, Turkey is among the middle-tier powers making inroads across Africa as Chinese investment slows and the US plays catch up.
While Russia has become a symbol of anti-Western sentiment in some places, its Wagner Group mercenaries aren’t as coveted as Turkey’s TB2 Baykar drones, which 11 African nations have purchased.
Increasing Foothold
Turkey has been increasing its foothold in the Horn of Africa nation since Erdogan visited the country in 2011. He agreed at the time to provide financial assistance to revive basic services such as education and health along with security.
A defense-industry cooperation agreement signed between Turkey and Somalia in 2015 allows for “joint research, development and production projects in the field of military equipment in the territories of the parties.” The two countries agreed in July to further boost their defense and economic cooperation over the next decade.
In 2017, Turkey opened its largest overseas military base in Mogadishu, and hundreds of the country’s troops are training Somalian soldiers. That’s part of Somalia’s plan to improve security after an insurgency by the Islamist group al-Shabaab.
Turkey, which wants to replicate its relationship with Mogadishu in other African countries, is expected to dispatch an exploration ship to search for oil and gas off Somalia’s coast, following an offer from the country’s government.
On the diplomatic front, Ankara has recently tried to mediate in a dispute between Somalia and neighboring Ethiopia over a deal Addis Ababa struck to build a port in Somaliland. Somalia considers the semi-autonomous region to be part of its territory.
--With assistance from Mohamed Sheikh Nor and Mohammed Omar Ahmed.
www.bnnbloomberg.ca
(Bloomberg) -- Turkey has held talks with Somalia about setting up a site to test-fire missiles and space rockets from the Horn of Africa country, according to people familiar with the matter.
Ankara’s ballistic-missile program requires long-range testing and Somalia’s location on the eastern tip of mainland Africa is ideal for firing toward the Indian Ocean, said the people, who asked not to be identified discussing sensitive subjects. The country is close to the equator, making it a suitable site for a space port, they said. Testing near the equator can also help boost the range and efficiency of space rockets.
Turkey has long aspired to join a space race traditionally dominated by global powers, and plans to launch a rocket have been underway for some years. That could potentially be fired from Somalia, the people said. Turkish officials are confident Somalia will agree to its request, the people said. Turkey’s defense ministry declined to comment.
Hussein Sheikh-Ali, national security adviser to Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, declined to comment when contacted by phone on Tuesday. The chairman of the parliamentary sub-committee on defense, Abdi Ahmed Koshin, said he was unaware of any such agreement with Turkey.
Turkey has been working on increasing the range of its domestically-built Tayfun missiles from about 560 kilometers (350 miles), President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in 2022. A Somalia launch site would remove the risk of debris falling into residential areas and other countries, the people said.
Turkey is one of the few foreign powers strengthening ties with Somalia as it tries to rebuild after years of clan warfare. Over the past decade, Turkey has expanded its influence through defense cooperation and infrastructure projects, and has plans for hydrocarbon exploration. It’s involved in mediation between the government in Mogadishu, the capital, and leaders in Somaliland, a semi-autonomous region.
Along with the United Arab Emirates and Egypt, Turkey is among the middle-tier powers making inroads across Africa as Chinese investment slows and the US plays catch up.
While Russia has become a symbol of anti-Western sentiment in some places, its Wagner Group mercenaries aren’t as coveted as Turkey’s TB2 Baykar drones, which 11 African nations have purchased.
Increasing Foothold
Turkey has been increasing its foothold in the Horn of Africa nation since Erdogan visited the country in 2011. He agreed at the time to provide financial assistance to revive basic services such as education and health along with security.
A defense-industry cooperation agreement signed between Turkey and Somalia in 2015 allows for “joint research, development and production projects in the field of military equipment in the territories of the parties.” The two countries agreed in July to further boost their defense and economic cooperation over the next decade.
In 2017, Turkey opened its largest overseas military base in Mogadishu, and hundreds of the country’s troops are training Somalian soldiers. That’s part of Somalia’s plan to improve security after an insurgency by the Islamist group al-Shabaab.
Turkey, which wants to replicate its relationship with Mogadishu in other African countries, is expected to dispatch an exploration ship to search for oil and gas off Somalia’s coast, following an offer from the country’s government.
On the diplomatic front, Ankara has recently tried to mediate in a dispute between Somalia and neighboring Ethiopia over a deal Addis Ababa struck to build a port in Somaliland. Somalia considers the semi-autonomous region to be part of its territory.
--With assistance from Mohamed Sheikh Nor and Mohammed Omar Ahmed.
Turkey Wants Ballistic Missile Test Range, Spaceport in Somalia
Turkey has held talks with Somalia about setting up a site to test-fire missiles and space rockets from the Horn of Africa country, according to people familiar with the matter.
Zafer
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I had been looking for a location for a spaceport in Somalia on the maps for a long time taking into account a number of considerations.
There is a big distance from the south of Somalia to the north, so this comes as a major consideration for a start. What kind of a spaceport is being considered is also a major factor for location selection. Offshore, onshore and inland locations and fully built and semi-built infrastructure plays a big role. There are more things to consider to make the endeavor a successful one.
- Being closest to the equator gives the advantage of rotational assist from the ground to the tune of 60% less energy required for the same payload compared to Baykonur Space Center which translates to like 50% gains compared to İğneada launchpad.
- Security situation in Somalia requires a safer location than just any location.
- Regular transportation of materials from Türkiye to the spaceport must be convenient. Distance should be manageable for planes and an airport and a seaport must be available.
- Must be safe from environmental hazards and must not be a hazard to major human settlements and major nature protection zones.
- Large enough land must be able to be provided for permanent structures to be built. This is more relevant in the case of an island location.
- Facilities for spaceport personnel must not be inconvenient; should be a manageable distance to a city rather than not.
There is a big distance from the south of Somalia to the north, so this comes as a major consideration for a start. What kind of a spaceport is being considered is also a major factor for location selection. Offshore, onshore and inland locations and fully built and semi-built infrastructure plays a big role. There are more things to consider to make the endeavor a successful one.
Selcuk Bayraktar talked about an important point reached in a project of strategic importance for Turkey:
"We will launch low-orbit satellites that will form the National Global Positioning System (GNSS). The system will consist of about 100 satellites and will be a new generation GNSS. In a sense, this system will ensure our independence in the skies. It will be very important and strategic in terms of our sovereignty.
These are being done with the revenues we receive from unmanned aerial vehicles. We have built 2 satellites, we were ready for launch, but the launch was postponed. We will launch our first satellite this year."
Selçuk Bayraktar also shared brief information about Fergani's other projects:
"Among our future goals is to build 50 tonne launch vehicles We are building an orbit transfer vehicle to move a satellite from one orbit to another in space."
"We will launch low-orbit satellites that will form the National Global Positioning System (GNSS). The system will consist of about 100 satellites and will be a new generation GNSS. In a sense, this system will ensure our independence in the skies. It will be very important and strategic in terms of our sovereignty.
These are being done with the revenues we receive from unmanned aerial vehicles. We have built 2 satellites, we were ready for launch, but the launch was postponed. We will launch our first satellite this year."
Selçuk Bayraktar also shared brief information about Fergani's other projects:
"Among our future goals is to build 50 tonne launch vehicles We are building an orbit transfer vehicle to move a satellite from one orbit to another in space."
What does next generation global positioning system mean?
Can someone please explain how many satellites is required to create to cover Turkiye and its neighbors?
Is this profitable? I mean there are already some GPS systems and I do not know how this will make money.
I can understand this is required for national projects but I can not understand why a private company can make investment to such a big project.
Can someone please explain how many satellites is required to create to cover Turkiye and its neighbors?
Is this profitable? I mean there are already some GPS systems and I do not know how this will make money.
I can understand this is required for national projects but I can not understand why a private company can make investment to such a big project.
Zafer
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Older systems need like 30 geostationary satellites at 20.000 km altitude to cover the entire globe. But newer system may mean that they will do a similar performance at 550 km altitude. This means a larger number of satellites at lower orbit hence the 100 satellites. Lower orbit is cheaper to access. You can probably give cellular network service through the same satellite.
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GPS systems don't exist to make money. GPS itself is a military project first and foremost, with civilian uses becoming more seen over the decades. US Military funds the GPS system, sends its satellites to orbit and allow civilian agencies and private entities to use it at almost no cost to itself. Allowing American civilian entities to use it allow more funding for the military's GPS system compared to systems of other agencies, and 3rd party civilians is just an added bonus. By using GPS, you accept the US hegemony here, and everyone's happy. In the past, it was nigh impossible for any other country other than US to have such global coverage. With the advent of rideshares and even more launches, even mid size companies can now have satellite swarms that can do a similar job at local levels, and so can we.
A Turkish GNSS/GPS will be of military use first, with civilian applications possibly to follow.
Strong AI
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More accurate and resilient.
The current GPS constellation includes 24 satellites, each traveling in a 12-hour, circular orbit, 20,200 kilometers above the Earth. The satellites are positioned so that six are observable nearly 100 percent of the time from any point on Earth. The current GLONASS constellation includes 24 satellites, each traveling in a circular orbit, 19,140 kilometers above the Earth. The satellites are positioned so that four are observable nearly 100 percent of the time from any point on Earth. |
Zafer
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You can start with giving time and positioning service to UAV customers. A service which can not be provided safely for many users otherwise.
Actually my main question is that why a private company investing for such a project. I can understand that states can invest for national independence but companies exist to make money and this project implies there must be some other ways to make money with this project such as cellular network.
This make senses. Especially for a company who provide services all over the world.
This make senses. Especially for a company who provide services all over the world.
This make senses. Especially for a company who provide services all over the world.
Radonsider
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Also being at LEO, it can provide data with less latency and be more resilient to EW, as it is ~4 times closer to the end user than a GPS/GLONASS satellite, so the lost power is a lot less.
That's why Ukraine is using Starlink dishes on their Kamikaze USVs.
This will probably do what Starshield (military Starlink) but for a limited region, for example the the places where Turkish military is deployed. We can expect more global usage via increase of satellite count, probably around 2035-40 maybe? TSK is going to be the first user ofc.
120 satellites in 5 years, 2 satellites per month. They can easily increase the production rate if they get foreign interest in having non-US linked data and positioning supply services
That's why Ukraine is using Starlink dishes on their Kamikaze USVs.
This will probably do what Starshield (military Starlink) but for a limited region, for example the the places where Turkish military is deployed. We can expect more global usage via increase of satellite count, probably around 2035-40 maybe? TSK is going to be the first user ofc.
120 satellites in 5 years, 2 satellites per month. They can easily increase the production rate if they get foreign interest in having non-US linked data and positioning supply services
Zafer
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Low Earth Orbit satellites have to travel around Earth to stay in orbit therefore a constellation of them have to cover entire Earth circumference but not the entire Earth latitudes. This defines an area between two circles on different latitudes. Probably an area between 60° North and 10° South latitudes makes sense.
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BaburKhan
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Heartbang
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Lame name.
We need something marketable.
