ANTONOV Airlines has completed a critical mission, delivering the Turkish Türksat 6A satellite from Ankara to Florida. This transport was vital for the satellite’s upcoming launch by SpaceX, marking a significant milestone for Turkey’s space program.
The operation posed a unique challenge due to the satellite’s container height of 414.6 cm, while the AN-124-100 cargo door height is only 440 cm. Despite this narrow margin, the ANTONOV team managed to load and transport the satellite without any issues. Vladyslav Ishchuk, Commercial Executive at ANTONOV Airlines, expressed the intricacy involved, stating, “For our cargo loading department, this project became a challenge. There were doubts the possibility of loading the satellite on board the AN-124-100 because of the height of the container – 414.6 cm, while the size of cargo door cabin is 440 cm. Also, we understood the importance of this transportation and did everything possible and successfully completed this mission.”
This project carries national significance as the Türksat 6A is Turkey’s first domestically produced geostationary communication satellite. The successful transport of this satellite underscores Turkey’s growing capabilities in space technology.
Muhammet Davut Yuce, Managing Director of Proair Aviation & Charter Türkiye, highlighted the meticulous efforts required for this mission. “In this project, which required much more detailed work than traditional charter flights, every aspect of the process was meticulously handled, and our excitement persisted until the very last material was unloaded from the aircraft,” he shared.
This mission is a testament to the expertise and dedication of both ANTONOV Airlines and Proair Aviation & Charter Türkiye. Their collaborative efforts ensured the safe and timely delivery of the Türksat 6A satellite, paving the way for its successful launch by SpaceX.
