Space X to launch 2 new Turkish satellites

By Elif Ferhan Yesilyurt and Eda Fatma Topcu

ISTANBUL

American aerospace company Space X will launch two new Turkish satellites, Turkey's Transport, Maritime and Communications Minister Ahmet Arslan said Thursday.

The satellites, Turksat 5A and Turksat 5B will be launched by the Falcon 9 rocket -- a two-stage rocket designed and manufactured by SpaceX for the reliable and safe transport of satellites, Arslan said.

Turkey signed a deal with Airbus Defence and Space (Airbus D&S) -- of which Space X is a sub-supplier -- for the production of the two satellites, during the ongoing Global SatShow in Istanbul.

Airbus had made the best bid to produce the satellites in October.

Turkey aims to launch Turksat 5A by 2020 and Turksat 5B by 2021.

The satellites will play a vital role in Turkey's development in the telecommunication sector, Arslan said, adding that they are being produced by Turkish engineers and domestic resources.

Nicolas Chamussy, executive vice president of Airbus, said that the Turkish aerospace industry will benefit from this production.

Turksat 5B will be built in facilities in Ankara and Turkish institutions such as defense company Aselsan will contribute to the project, Chamussy said.

Elon Musk, chief executive officer of Space X, arrived in Ankara on Wednesday to meet President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

The two discussed the launch of the two new satellites, said Ibrahim Kalin, the presidential spokesman.

Reporting by Elif Ferhan Yesilyurt and Eda Fatma Topcu: Writing by Dilara Zengin