June 12th New Date To Launch Turksat 3a, Yildirim

CAYEN - Turkey`s Transportation Minister Binali Yildirim said Saturday that June 12th would be the new date to launch a new generation communication satellite Turksat 3A from French Guiana.
The launching of Turksat 3A was postponed on Friday due to a problem in launching software.
Turksat 3A satellite will enable Turksat to offer telecommunication services as well as direct TV broadcasting services though a broader area than its existing satellites covering Turkey, Europe, Middle East, North Africa and Central Asia.
With the help of its switchable transponders, Turksat 3A will act as a bridge between Europe and Asia. Turksat 3A`s Turkey coverage has been specially designed to provide very efficient gain for broadband applications like VSAT services giving customers low-cost, up-link systems.
Based on Thales Alenia Space Spacebus 4000B2, Turksat 3A will be fitted with 24 Ku-band transponders and will offer beginning of life power of about 8 kW. Positioned at 42°E, Turksat 3A will weigh 3060 kg at launch and will replace Turksat 1C satellite.
Its lifetime is nearly 20 years.
(SOL-BRC)