Turkey signs satellite deal with Japanese firm

March 7

Turkey signed a 571 million-U.S. dollar deal with Japanese technology firm Mitsubishi Electric Corporation here to procure and launch two communications satellites by 2014, local media reported.

Turkey plans to place Turksat 4A into orbit by the last quarter of 2013 and launch Turksat 4B in 2014, with the two satellites having a lifespan of 30 years, the semi-official Anatolia news agency reported.

Turkish engineers are also starting to produce another satellite Turksat 5A in cooperation with the Japanese firm, Turkish Transportation Minister Binali Yildirim was quoted as saying at the signing ceremony.

The deal will lay the ground for cooperation between the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and the planned Turkish Space Agency, which is expected to be established next year, said Yildirim.

Turkey has decided to launch new satellites due to rising demand and capacity of Turksat, Turkey's satellite operator, he said.

Turkey now operates two communication satellites, Turksat 2A and Turksat 3A. Last year, another Turkish satellite Turksat 1C went out of use 14 years after it was launched into space, the agency reported.

Turkey also plans to launch its first intelligence satellite next year.