Volga-Dnepr Airlines was called upon to use its expertise moving space satellites to carry a communications satellite from Japan to the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.

The airline carried the Türksat 4B satellite onboard an An-124 freighter and was also assigned to return its special transport container.

The satellite in will help to bring improved broadcasting and communication services in Turkey, Europe, Central Asia, the Middle East, and Africa.

The communications satellite was manufactured by Mitsubishi Electric in Japan for the Turkish satellite operator Türksat AS. Its special shipping container secured the cargo and ensured the necessary environmental conditions were maintained to protect the satellite’s sensitive technology. During the flight from Japan the temperature was maintained at 10°С.

The shipment, comprising the satellite and supporting equipment, was accompanied by the manufacturer’s representatives. Although the total weight of the satellite and container was 60 tons, space equipment is a highly sensitive cargo requiring special care during handling due to the precision equipment onboard. The actual dry weight of the Türksat 4B satellite was only several tons.

Volga-Dnepr Airlines has operated more than 4,500 flights for the aerospace industry. In early 2014, Volga-Dnepr delivered the Türksat 4A satellite, also manufactured by Mitsubishi Electric for Türksat AS, which was successfully launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in February 2014.