![\"Baykar\u2019s](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/baykars-fergani-space-launches-second-indigenous-satellite-into-orbit-3209388.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nSpaceX\u2019s Bandwagon-5 mission lifts off from Florida, one second into the flight on the launch broadcast on Oct. 20, 2026. (Photo via Fergani Space)<\/p>\n
\n October 20, 2026 11:58 PM GMT+03:00\n <\/p>\n
Fergani Space Technologies, the company founded by Baykar\u2019s Selcuk Bayraktar, launched its sixth test satellite, FRG-100D4, from Florida on a SpaceX mission on Tuesday. The company said the 160 kg spacecraft reached its target orbit and has begun its mission.<\/p>\n
The satellite lifted off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida at 2:04 p.m. T\u00fcrkiye time as part of SpaceX\u2019s Bandwagon-5 mission.<\/p>\n
It separated from the launch vehicle about 63 minutes later, at 3:07 p.m., and settled into an orbit at an altitude of 590 kilometers.<\/p>\n
Bayraktar is chairman of the board and chief technology officer of Baykar.<\/p>\n
Bandwagon is SpaceX\u2019s rideshare program, which lets operators of smaller spacecraft share a rocket rather than pay for a dedicated launch.<\/p>\n
Communications and navigation payloads<\/p>\n
Fergani describes FRG-100D4 as equipped for communications and navigation, with upgraded navigation and broadband communications payloads.<\/p>\n
The company said it is the highest-power-generating satellite it has built and a significant step beyond its earlier launches.<\/p>\n
According to Fergani, the spacecraft relies on critical components developed entirely in-house, among them a reaction wheel, a magnetorquer, a magnetometer, an inertial measurement unit, a GNSS receiver, steerable solar panels, a battery pack, a regenerative modem and a phased-array antenna.<\/p>\n
The satellite also carries an AI-assisted computer intended for advanced missions.<\/p>\n
The company said proving this avionics equipment in orbit, and giving the technologies flight heritage, matters for what it called T\u00fcrkiye\u2019s full independence in space technologies.<\/p>\n
A step toward the Ulug Bey constellation<\/p>\n
Fergani presents the launch as the most important step so far toward its Ulug Bey Satellite Constellation System, which is meant to consist of more than 200 satellites.<\/p>\n
The company said it aims to finish the system within five years, using entirely its own resources.<\/p>\n
Once the constellation is in place, Fergani said, T\u00fcrkiye would have an independent navigation and communications network.<\/p>\n
It said T\u00fcrkiye could share that capability with \u201cfriendly and kindred nations.\u201d<\/p>\n
Development of an indigenous launch vehicle is continuing alongside the satellite work, the company added.<\/p>\n
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