Turkey to launch new telecommunications satellite

ANKARA

Turkey will launch its TURKSAT 4B communications satellite from the Baikonur Space Center in Kazakhstan on Oct. 16, according to a statement by the Transportation, Maritime Affairs and Communications Ministry.

The TURKSAT 4B Communication Satellite is Turkey’s sixth to be put into orbit and will work in tandem with a similar one named Turksat 4A, which was launched on Feb. 25, 2015.

The Turksat 4B telecommunication satellite was jointly produced with Turkish and Japanese engineers at Mitsubishi Electric Corp.

It is designed for mission durations of 15 years and beyond, according to the Communications Ministry.

“TURKSAT 4B will operate on the Eastern orbit of 50.0°. It will cover South Western Asia, including Turkey, Africa, Europe, Middle East and Central Asia in its coverage area,” said Communications Minister Feridun Bilgin.

Bilgin said that with TURKSAT 4B Internet services provider fees will be reduced and Turkey residents will be able to access the Internet faster.

The Baikonur center is managed by the private company International Launch Services.