Turkish minister: Türksat 5A and 5B tender process to be completed within 2 months

The Turkish Minister of Transport, Maritime Affairs and Communication, Ahmet Arslan, stated on 25 August 2016 that the tender period for Türksat 5A and Türksat 5B communication satellites will be completed in 1.5 – 2 months. He said, “At this year’s final quarter by drawing up contracts concerning Türksat 5A and Türksat 5B satellites, by completing our project duties, we would like to start the task at hand”

Minster Arslan issued statements to the Anatolian News Agency (AA)

Arslan stated that Türksat ranks among the top 20 satellite operators in the world, and aims to have 10 satellites and rank among the top 10 countries by the year 2023. Arslan made note that production period for Türksat 6A, which is manufactured at the Space Systems Integration and Test Centre (USET) and is Turkey’s first domestic satellite, is still ongoing. Türksat 6A satellite aims to be completed and sent into space in 2019.

Arslan emphasized the importance of Türksat 6A in terms of it being a role model for large-scale domestic technological projects, the manufacturers being domestic companies, and financing being achieved through domestic resources.

Arslan voiced the importance of Türksat 5A and Türksat 5B satellites, which will have the highest domestic contributions possible, and went onto to say that the task of manufacturing satellite the best way possible and developing its technical personnel are coming along very well.

Arslan: “We received offers from well-known companies.”

Minister Arslan explained that roughly within 1.5- 2 months decisions regarding the manufacturing of the satellites will be decided upon. He said “At this year’s final quarter by drawing up contracts concerning Türksat 5A and Türksat 5B communication satellite, by completing our project duties by the end of the year, we would like to start the task at hand”

Arslan, stated that the tender period regarding the satellites was coming along very well “We are progressing very well. We have received offers from companies of countries that are the best in the world at this job. It will be finalized in 1.5 – 2 months and will be announced.”

Arslan stated that they didn’t want to experience difficulties with satellites in space that have reached the end of their life span, and said that sector has grown immensely and in order to meet the increasing needs they will send satellites in line with these plans.

He continued by noting that they aim launch Türksat 5A to its 31⁰ East orbital location by the end of 2018 whereas Türksat 5B to its 42⁰ East orbital location in 2019. He added that television broadcast and data communication services will be provided to Turkey, Europe, Africa, Middle East and Asia via Türksat 5A satellite.

Original published at: http://spacewatchme.com/2016/08/turkish-minister-turksat-5a-5b-tender-process-completed-within-2-months/