Türksat 2A (Eurasiasat 1): Turkish Communications Satellite at 42°E

Overview
Türksat 2A, also known as Eurasiasat 1, was a Turkish geosynchronous communications satellite developed as part of a joint project between Türksat A.Ş. (Turkey) and Eurasiasat SAM (Monaco). The goal of the project was to establish a seamless regional communications network using two geostationary satellites.

Launched on January 10, 2001, at 21:39 UTC, the satellite was deployed by Arianespace aboard an Ariane-44P H10-3launch vehicle from ELA-2 at the Guiana Space Centre in Kourou, French Guiana. After being placed into geostationary transfer orbit (GTO), Türksat 2A was moved to its operational position at 42° East longitude, where it was co-located with Türksat 1C (launched in 1996). The satellite officially began broadcast services on February 1, 2001.

Coverage and Mission Capabilities
Türksat 2A was designed to deliver reliable communication services across:

• Europe (Western beam)

• Turkey, Central Asia, Middle East, and Russia (Eastern beam)

• Direct links between Europe and Central Asia

This dual-beam capability allowed the satellite to simultaneously serve multiple regions with high-capacity coverage.

Satellite Specifications
Türksat 2A was built on the Alcatel Spacebus 3000B3 satellite platform and featured the following key specifications:

• On-orbit mass: 3,530 kg (7,780 lb)

• Power generation: 9,200 watts

• Transponder payload: 36 Ku-band transponders

  • 22 fixed-beam transponders (33 MHz bandwidth)

  • 10 transponders (36 MHz bandwidth)

  • 2 steerable beams for flexible regional coverage