SpaceX launches a new, fully Turkish satellite into orbit
The Turkish space company Fergani Space announced on its website the successful launch of its second fully domestically produced satellite.
According to the press release, FGN-100-D2 is the country’s largest private satellite. It was launched yesterday from Cape Canaveral, Florida, as part of the SpaceX Bandwagon-4 mission. About 74 minutes later, the satellite successfully separated from the rocket, entered orbit, and transmitted its first data.
The company stated that FGN-100-D2 weighs 104 kilograms, travels at a speed of 7.6 km/s, and completes about 15 orbits around Earth per day. It will operate at an altitude of around 510 km, and its mission is expected to last between five and seven years.
“With this mission, Turkey’s path toward independence in space technologies has reached a new stage,” the statement said.
Fergani Space also announced plans to launch more than 100 satellites within the next five years.
On January 14, 2025, SpaceX launched Fergani Space’s first satellite, FGN-100-D1, which is part of the Baykar drone manufacturing group. It was sent into orbit on a Falcon 9 rocket as part of the Transporter-12 mission.
