Türksat 3A is a Turkish communications satellite, operated by Turksat. It was constructed by Thales Alenia Space, based on the Spacebus 4000B2 satellite bus, and was launched by Arianespace atop an Ariane 5ECA launch vehicle, along with the British Skynet 5C satellite, in a dual-payload launch on 12 June 2008 at 22:05:02 GMT, from ELA-3 at the Guiana Space Centre in Kourou, French Guiana. It is part of the Turksat series of satellites, and is placed in geosynchronous orbit at 42°E to provide communications services to Turkey, Europe and the Middle East.