Türksat AS ordered the TürkSat-3a satellite with Alcatel Alenia Space (Thales Alenia Space) in February 2006. TürkSat-3a satellite would enable Türksat to offer telecommunication services as well as direct TV broadcasting over Southern Europe, covering Türkey, Europe and Central Asia. The Turksat-3a satellite has 3 uplink and 2 downlink beams.

Based on Alcatel Alenia Space Spacebus-4000B2, TürkSat-3a will be fitted with 24 Ku-band transponders and will offer beginning of life power of about 8 kW. Positioned at 42°E, Türksat-3a started services in 2008, replacing TürkSat-1c that became EOL.

TürkSat-3A satellite was launched on June 13th, 2008 on an Ariane 5 rocket operated by launch operator Arianespace.