TÜRKSAT 3A ready for launch
Posted by meb at March 5th, 2008
Construction and tests of Turkey’s new generation communications satellite, TÜRKSAT 3A, have been completed and the satellite is now at the launch pad in South America, waiting to be sent into space in April or May, Turkish officials told the Anatolia news agency on Tuesday.
TÜRKSAT 3A was designed with Turkey’s needs and market areas in mind and is capable of serving broadcast demands from Asia, Europe and Turkey. It will be able to replace all services provided by TÜRKSAT 1C, currently in orbit, and, at the same time, give a helping hand to TÜRKSAT 2A. The satellite was produced at Alcatel’s facilities in France.
The new satellite will, in addition to TV broadcasts, bring telephone, fax, Internet and other services through satellite terminals in regions that do not have infrastructure for radio link and cable communication services due to geographical conditions.
TÜRKSAT 3A, equipped with 24 120-W Ku-band transponders, will be in service for about 20 years
The satellite’s coverage is planned to be all of Europe and the majority of Asia. Higher rates of switching are considered as TÜRKSAT 3A’s advantages over other satellites. Also, it will not be fettered by selection limitations concerning western and eastern coverage areas as seen in other satellites.
TÜRKSAT 3A’s high quality TV and radio broadcast will be easily received in Turkey, Europe and Central Asia using a small antenna with a diameter of 50-60 cm.
TÜRKSAT 3A is capable of orienting itself using the star tracker, which helps it to determine its location with reference to the stars.
source: Today’s Zaman
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