Turksat 3A

Infobox Spacecraft
Organisation = Turksat
Mission_Type = Communication
Carrier_Rocket = Ariane 5ECA
Launch = 12 June 2008
Launch_Site = Guiana Space Centre ELA-3
Orbit_regime = Geosynchronous
Bus = Spacebus 4000B2
Major_Contractors = Thales Alenia Space
Longitude = 42°E
Mass = convert|3060|kg|lb|lk=on
Transponders = 24 IEEE Ku-Band (NATO J-band)

Turksat 3A (also Türksat 3A) is a Turkish communications satellite, to be operated by Turksat. It was constructed by Thales Alenia Space, based on the Spacebus 4000B2 satellite bus, and was launched by Arianespace atop an Ariane 5ECA carrier rocket, along with the British Skynet 5C satellite, in a dual-payload launch on 12 June, at 22:05:02 GMT, from ELA-3 at the Guiana Space Centre.

It is part of the Turksat series of satellites, and will be placed in geosynchronous orbit at 42° East to provide communications services to Turkey, Europe and the Middle East.

Construction

The contract for the construction and in-orbit delivery of Turksat 3A was announced in February of 2006.cite web |url=http://www.thalesonline.com/renderdetail/2C63200D-554F-4240-3728-04445D3E7223:central |title=Alcatel Alenia Space to build & deliver in-orbit Turksat 3A telecommunication satellite for Turksat |publisher=Thales Alenia Space]

Planned use

Turksat 3A will be positioned at 42°E, and its 24 Ku-band transponders will be used to replace those of the aging Turksat 1C, which entered service in 1996. Turksat 3A was originally intended to start services at the beginning of 2008.

References

* [http://space.skyrocket.de/index_frame.htm?http://www.skyrocket.de/space/doc_sdat/turksat-3a.htm Gunter's Space Page - Turksat 3A]
* [http://www.turksat.com.tr/english/index.php?option=com_content&task=category&sectionid=3&id=32&Itemid=60 Turksat AS official site - Turksat 3A]

See also

* Turksat (satellite)
* [http://www.turksat3a.net TURKSAT 3A Coverage Areas]