Armenian community protests at SpaceX HQ in Hawthorne over Turkish satellite launch

HAWTHORNE, Calif. (KABC) -- Several hundred members of the local Armenian-American community staged a protest at SpaceX headquarters in Hawthorne Thursday night over the company's plans to launch a satellite for the Turkish government.

The aerospace firm plans to launch the Turksat 5A satellite on a Falcon9 rocket from Cape Canaveral, Florida on Nov. 30.
[Ads /]
The satellite was built by Airbus Defense and Space and has been described as intended for use in television broadcasting and related communications for Turksat, a state-owned company.

Protesters believe the satellite could be used by the Turkish government for military purposes.

Turkey is currently aiding Azerbaijan in an armed conflict with Armenia involving the Nagorno-Karabakh region. A cease-fire was announced recently, although at least two previous agreements have not lasted long before fighting was renewed.

RELATED: An explanation of the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan
[Ads /]


The protest was peaceful, with people waving Armenian flags and holding signs on Crenshaw Boulevard in front of SpaceX headquarters.



SpaceX did not respond to a request from Eyewitness News for comment.