Historic first: Türkiye receives signal from 70,000 km away

Türkiye has successfully received a signal from a distance of 70,000 kilometers, marking a notable achievement for the nation.

This milestone was reached through the Türksat 6A satellite, highlighting the progress of Turkish engineering in space exploration. The story was originally reported by Sertaç Aksan for TRT.

A Decade of Development

CTech, a company recognized for its contributions to Türkiye’s defense industry, played a key role in this achievement. According to CTech General Manager Cüneyd Fırat, the company was responsible for developing the Telemetry, Telecommand, and Distance Measurement subsystem of Türksat 6A.

Firat stressed the importance of reliability in such projects, noting that even minor malfunctions could have serious consequences.

“Once a satellite is in space, it cannot be recalled for adjustments,” he explained, emphasizing the rigorous work schedule that CTech followed over the past decade. “Receiving a signal from 70,000 kilometers away is a significant milestone for us.”

Implications for Türkiye’s defense sector

Space exploration often leads to advancements that benefit both military and civilian sectors. Firat expressed optimism about the potential impact on Türkiye’s defense industry, noting that the technological expertise gained through the Türksat 6A project could be applied to various defense platforms, including Türkiye’s drones.

The challenges encountered in space – extreme cold, high radiation levels, and intense vibrations – are similar to those faced by defense systems. The experience gained from ensuring reliable and continuous operations in such harsh environments will be valuable for future military technology development.

Export potential of Turkish space products

Firat also pointed out the growing export potential of Turkish space products. Over the past seven to eight years, Türkiye has seen continuous growth in its high-tech exports, particularly in defense and aerospace technologies. With the successful deployment and operation of Türksat 6A, Türkiye has joined the ranks of countries capable of producing and testing space-grade equipment.

“The space products developed through these projects, including Türksat 6A, have significant export potential,” Firat said.

“Interest from international clients is already emerging, and it may not be long before Turkish space technology is utilized by other countries.”