Turkey's First Lunar Mission Supported by Thales
Turkey's First Lunar Mission Supported by Thales
Company Providing Spacecraft Communications Transponder
A communication transponder for AYAP-1, Turkey’s first lunar mission, will be provided by Thales Alenia Space under a contract signed with the TÜBITAK Space Technologies Research Institute (TÜBITAK UZAY).
"We are honored by the confidence of TÜBITAK UZAY to provide the Communication Transponder for AYAP-1 spacecraft."
Stéphane Terranova, Thales Alenia Space
The Lunar Research Program (AYAP) is an integral part of the National Space Program led by the Turkish Space Agency, with TÜBITAK UZAY in charge of the design, development, integration, test, launch and operations of the AYAP-1 spacecraft. With this project, Turkey aims to successfully carry out its first lunar mission and become one of the few countries that can conduct activities on the Moon with its own capabilities.
Thales Alenia Space will provide an S-Band TT&C (Tracking, Telemetry and Command) Transponder for the AYAP-1 spacecraft, a key unit to establish a communication link between the spacecraft and the ground station. The TT&C transponder is in charge of receiving the commands sent by the ground station to control the spacecraft, and sending back the telemetry with the vital information on the status of the spacecraft. The TT&C link is also instrumental to monitor the position of the spacecraft by measuring the distance to the ground station.
"At Thales Alenia Space we are honored by the confidence of TÜBITAK UZAY to provide the Communication Transponder for AYAP-1 spacecraft, a key element for the success of Turkey’s first mission to the Moon," said Stéphane Terranova, CEO of Thales Alenia Space in Spain. "We’re excited to contribute to the renewed ambition of humanity to explore the Earth’s natural satellite.”
Thales Alenia Space site in Madrid (Spain) is a center of excellence in space communications. With 35 years of experience in the design and production of satellite communication systems, payloads and equipment for all type of space missions - from Earth orbit to deep space, - it has participated in more than 650 satellites from space agencies and satellite operators worldwide and delivered 4,500 units. Building on their comprehensive heritage and expertise, Thales Alenia Space teams in Madrid are currently involved in 9 missions to the Moon providing lunar communications systems and equipment in S and X frequency bands for 4 lunar orbiters, 3 lunar landers, 1 lunar rover and the space station Lunar Gateway.