STORY: 1st Turkish-made communications satellite sent into orbit
SHOOTING TIME: July 9, 2024
DATELINE: July 10, 2024
LENGTH: 00:01:22
LOCATION: Ankara
CATEGORY: TECHNOLOGY

SHOTLIST:
1. various of the launching of the satellite (courtesy of ihlas news agency)
2. SOUNDBITE (Turkish): RECEP TAYYIP ERDOGAN, Turkish President (courtesy of ihlas news agency)
3. various of the launching of the satellite (courtesy of ihlas news agency)

STORYLINE:

The first Turkish homemade communications satellite, Turksat 6A, was sent into orbit by a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket early Tuesday from Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the United States.
   
With the launching, the country has entered a new phase in satellite production, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said while addressing the launching ceremony via video link.

SOUNDBITE (Turkish): RECEP TAYYIP ERDOGAN, Turkish President 
"We have entered a new phase in satellite production with Turksat 6A. Our indigenous, national communication satellite 6A will ensure the backup of existing satellites and increase capacity. Despite all the obstacles and restrictions, our country is increasing its presence in space."
   
Turkish Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu said the first signal from Turksat 6A was received 67 minutes after its launch, as planned, according to a Reuters report.
   
The satellite is set to reach its operational orbit of 35,786 km above the Earth's surface and undergo orbital tests for a month, according to the mission's website and the Turkish minister.
   
The satellite would serve at 42 degrees east longitude, expanding the coverage of Türkiye's communications services to 5 billion people, Uraloglu said in a statement on Monday.
   
In April 2023, Türkiye launched its first domestically designed and manufactured satellite IMECE into orbit aboard a Falcon 9 rocket from California in the United States.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Ankara.
(XHTV)