The Turksat 4A telecommunication satellite was jointly produced with Turkish and Japanese engineers who arrived at the Baikonur on January 16.

Turkey's Transportation, Maritime Affairs and Communications Minister Lutfi Elvan travelled to Kazakhstan to follow the launch of the satellite.

The satellite is equipped with two 3-panel solar arrays for power generation, a chemical propulsion system for apogee maneuvers as well as orbital adjustments and navigation and stabilization equipment.

Television broadcasts and satellite communication signals will be able to cover the whole of the African continent.

The satellite will leave its capsule 5 minutes 47 seconds after the launch.

The TURKSAT 4A will have a total launch mass of 4,850 kilograms, capable of providing 15kW of power to facilitate powerful communication payloads for mission durations of 15 years and beyond.

TURKSAT 4B, Turkey´s sixth satellite, will be launched on the second quarter of this year.

Officials says with TURKSAT 4B Internet services provider fees will be fifty percent cheaper in the country.