The “electric propulsion engine” developed by TUBITAK Ozay for Turkey’s first domestic and national communications satellite Turksat 6A has been successfully ignited, achieving a space achievement in a geostationary orbit.
The latest information within the scope of the Turksat 6A project was published on TUBITAK’s social media account.
The post stated that the HALE 1500 electric propulsion engine developed by TUBITAK Ozay for the project was successfully ignited for 7 minutes, and said: “Thus, our electric propulsion engine, which was produced entirely by domestic and national means, achieved a space achievement in a geostationary orbit at an altitude of 35,786 kilometers.” “We will have the opportunity to increase the mission life of our satellite”
The publication also provided information about the maneuver studies of the satellite, and the following was noted:
“While we continue the orbital tests of Türksat 6A, we also need to perform periodic maneuvers to protect the site in order to keep our satellite in its orbit against the disturbing factors arising from the Earth, the Sun and the Moon, and to maintain a safe distance from other satellites.
For this, we will use the two domestic electric propulsion engines we have installed to keep our satellite in its longitude and maintain its circular orbit.
Thanks to our electric propulsion engine, which we have successfully used in the HALE 300 version of our İMECE satellite before, we will now be able to perform maneuvers with less fuel and have the opportunity to increase the mission life of our satellite. This step we have taken in our national space journey is the work of our country’s independent technological power and determined engineers. We are proud of our teams.”
