Alcatel Alenia Space said it has signed a turnkey contract with Turkish operator Turksat AS to build and deliver into orbit a new and powerful telecommunication satellite, the Turksat 3A.
The company has been Turksat's sole satellite provider with five satellites* awarded in more than 10 years.
The Turksat 3A satellite will enable Turksat to offer telecommunication services as well as direct TV broadcasting over Southern Europe, covering Turkey, Europe and Central Asia.
As prime contractor, Alcatel Alenia Space will be in charge of the satellite design, construction and test activities, all the way through in-orbit delivery, along with modernization of the ground segment. Alcatel Alenia Space will also provide training assistance to Turksat.
Based on Alcatel Alenia Space Spacebus 4000B2, Turksat 3A will be fitted with 24 Ku-band transponders and will offer beginning of life power of about 8kW. Positioned at 42°E, Turksat 3A is due to start services at the beginning of 2008, replacing Turksat 1C.
Turksat 3A is the tenth Alcatel Alenia Space Spacebus 4000 satellite ordered, among which four have been launched successfully and delivered in orbit.
