President Erdogan declares Türkiye’s entry into elite space league with TURKSAT 6A launch

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced that Türkiye has become one of only 11 countries capable of producing its own communication satellites.

Speaking at the commissioning ceremony of TURKSAT 6A, Erdogan highlighted that the launch of the satellite will expand Türkiye's global satellite coverage, increasing the population reached from 3.5 billion to 5 billion people, Caliber.Az reports citing Turkish media.

Erdogan also emphasized that this achievement presents a significant opportunity for Türkiye to establish its own national satellite brand and space company.

President Erdogan highlighted that the creation of TÜRKSAT 6A represents the culmination of two decades of “painstaking, intensive and hard work.” He emphasized that the satellite's development marks a transformative step for Türkiye, establishing a national satellite communication platform and significantly expanding the nation's space capabilities.

“The successful launch of TÜRKSAT 6A demonstrates our commitment to technological independence and innovation,” Erdogan said. “With this revolutionary project, Türkiye is now among the 11 countries in the world capable of producing its own communication satellites.”

The new satellite, Erdogan added, will enhance Türkiye’s satellite coverage, increasing the global audience it can serve from 3.5 billion to 5 billion people. This advancement, he noted, opens up significant opportunities for Türkiye to not only boost its technological stature but also to establish a national satellite brand and create a thriving national space company.

Looking ahead, Erdogan expressed confidence that the country is poised to capitalize on a "historic window of opportunity" amid the changing global landscape. “We are very close to taking our rightful place in the world system,” he said, underscoring the geopolitical and economic importance of this achievement.

With TÜRKSAT 6A now in operation, Türkiye solidifies its position as a growing power in space technology and satellite communications, ready to compete on the world stage.

By Vafa Guliyeva