Armenian and Greek organizations in America are lobbying US authorities to block SpaceX's upcoming launch of a Turkish communications satellite for reasons of national security.

SpaceX plans to use its Falcon 9 Block 5 launch vehicle to send the Türksat 5B satellite into orbit in June 2021. In January, a private space company launched an older communications satellite, Türksat 5A, into space from a base at Cape Canaveral.

The Greek American Council and the Armenian National Committee of America have sent a letter to the US Federal Aviation Administration requesting that the plans be blocked, arguing that the communications satellite has dangerous military uses.

The letter noted that satellite communications can expand the range of Turkish drones, expanding the ability of Ankara to independently conduct military operations against the positions of the United States and its allies in almost half of the globe.

Turkish drones were used against the indigenous Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh, and Turkey threatened to use them against Greece and Cyprus.

Satellite communications, in particular, have played a role in expanding the range of Turkey's most advanced drones.

The letter also mentions that the United States has imposed sanctions against the Turkish defense industry.