Alcatel Alenia Space received a contract from Turksat AS for the manufacture and in-orbit delivery of the Turksat 3A satellite in early 2008, Alcatel announced Feb. 23.

Turksat 3A will be based on Alcatel’s Spacebus 4000B2 platform and carry 24 Ku-band transponders. The satellite will be located at 42 degrees East to provide telecommunication services and direct TV broadcasting to Turkey, Europe and Central Asia.

Turksat 3A will be the fifth satellite Alcatel has manufactured for Turksat.