On January 16 TurkSat-4A telecommunication satellite manufactured by Japanese company Mitsubishi Electric – МЕLCO was delivered to Baikonur spaceport by AN-124 aircraft of Volga-Dnepr aero company .

The satellite was made on the order of Turkish Turksat Satellite Communication, Cable TV and Operation A.S. satellite communication operator. The satellite will be launched with the help of Proton-M booster and Briz-M upper stage in February.

After all customs procedures TurkSat-4A space device will be transported to 92-A50 integration building where Khrunichev Centre and other space industry enterprises specialists have been already carrying out scheduled operations with the booster and upper stage.

After installation in the clean room, examination and space device acceptance MELCO specialists will start its autonomous testing and preparation works for assembling with the upper stage. These works include all functional and electric testing of the satellite and its fill with propellant components.

The contract for proton-M booster launch with TurkSat-4A space device was concluded by Russian-American Company International Launch Services (ILS). ILS company has an exclusive right to proton-M heavy booster marketing on the world market with Khrunichev State research and production centre who is proton-M booster and Briz-M upper stage developer and manufacturer being the main shareholder since May 2008.

It is the first time Proton booster will be used for the launch of space device manufactured on MELCO platform basis. The launch weight of TurkSat-4A space device amounts to 4850 kg. The satellite will provide TV broadcasting and broadband communication services for Turkey, Europe, Central Asia, Middle East and Africa.