Turkish defense firm ASELSAN introduced its new low Earth orbit (LEO) communication satellite constellation, GÖKBAĞI, at the 77th International Astronautical Congress (IAC) currently held in Antalya. The project, also referred to as Astralink, aims to bolster Turkey's independent communication capabilities.

ASELSAN CEO Ahmet Akyol noted that the system is designed to support both military and civilian services, utilizing chips developed internally by the company. The firm plans to begin launching the initial satellites within the next few years to provide faster and more efficient connectivity for public and private sectors.

In addition to the satellite constellation, ASELSAN displayed AESA-based satellite receivers capable of digital tracking. Akyol emphasized that these technologies represent a significant step toward achieving national independence in space-based operations, while also highlighting the development of radar technology capable of imaging through cloud cover.

Key Takeaways

• GÖKBAĞI is a dual-use communication satellite constellation designed for low Earth orbit.
• ASELSAN is developing the entire system, including the internal chip architecture.
• The project features AESA-based receivers that enable digital satellite tracking without mechanical movement.

Source: Anadolu Agency