The FGN-100-d1 satellite, developed nationally by Fergani Space, founded by Baykar Chairman and Technology Leader Selçuk Bayraktar, was launched into space from the US Vandenberg Space Force Base on the evening of January 14, 2025, at 22.09 Turkish time (TSI). Thus, the first step of the Positioning Constellation Satellite Project carried out by Fergani Space was successfully taken.
HE STARTED DUTY IN SPACE
The FGN-100-d1 satellite, weighing 102 kg, which is Turkey’s largest satellite produced by a private company, was carried into space with the Transporter-12 mission within the scope of the Rideshare Program. The national satellite system separated from the launch vehicle at 23.11 GMT, approximately 62 minutes after the launch, and successfully settled into orbit. After the FGN-100-d1 satellite entered orbit, it successfully started its mission by transmitting telemetry data.
“WE PUT OUR FIRST SATELLITE IN ORBIT”
The launch and orbital placement journey of the FGN-100-d1 satellite was followed by Fergani Space CEO Selçuk Bayraktar and his team from the Space Observation and Control Center located at Özdemir Bayraktar Mili Technology Center. Bayraktar said after the launch of the FGN-100-d1 satellite, “Our Fergani Space initiative, which we launched in 2022, continues today as a huge family of 106 people. Today we put our first satellite into orbit. These satellites will serve as constellations called low orbit constellations and will serve in both positioning and communication fields. We carried out this project entirely with our own resources. “Our satellite has now reached its orbit of 500 kilometers and has performed its first maneuvers.”
“Uluğ Bey, we will develop our global positioning system with our own resources”
“Hopefully, within 5 years, we will reach 100 satellites and develop our global positioning system, which we call Ulugh Beg, with our own resources in order to share it with all friendly and brother geographies. While we are completing the constellation of our constellation of satellites, we will also continue the development of our launch vehicle, which has a weight of 50 tons and can lift 1.5 tons into orbit. May it be beneficial and auspicious for our country and nation. “I would like to express my congratulations and gratitude to all my companions who contributed day and night to our country’s space adventure.”
HE WILL TRIP THE WORLD 15 TIMES A DAY
The FGN-100-d1 satellite, developed entirely with national resources with the expertise of Fergani engineers, will operate in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) at an altitude of approximately 510 km and in Sun Synchronous Orbit (SSO). The national satellite will move in orbit at a speed of 7.6 km/second and tour the world approximately 15 times in a day.
WILL SUPPORT TURKEY’S SPACE TRAVEL
The FGN-100-d1 satellite, which has three redundant flight computers, is intended to successfully test in-orbit operation, telemetry-telecommand communication, positioning and payload communication capabilities. During the development process, the Fergani Space engineering team successfully carried out mission-critical avionics equipment, domestic software integration, engine with green propulsion technology, structural design studies and environmental tests. Within the scope of the project, it is aimed to move Turkey forward strongly in the space ecosystem and space technologies.
