Lightspeed Venture Partners is a global venture capital firm that focuses on early-stage and growth-stage investments across various sectors, including enterprise, fintech, consumer, and healthcare. While not exclusively focused on space, Lightspeed has demonstrated interest in the space industry through investments in companies like Vector, a revolutionary launch platform for small satellites. The firm manages approximately $25 billion in assets and has offices in multiple locations including Menlo Park, California, and internationally.
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Modifying Telesat’s 156-satellite Lightspeed constellation for military Ka-band cost roughly $25 million.
Telesat has multi-year agreements with commercial airlines and maritime logistics operators for Lightspeed capacity.
Telesat is adding military Ka-Band capabilities to its upcoming Lightspeed low Earth orbit constellation.
Telesat is adding 500 MHz of Ka-band military spectrum to the first 156 Lightspeed satellites.
Telesat plans to launch the first two Lightspeed production satellites in December 2026.
Telesat plans a high-cadence Lightspeed launch schedule throughout 2027.
Telesat plans to introduce Lightspeed service in spring 2028.
Telesat's new Lightspeed functionality will not affect deliveries of the satellites.
The delay in full Lightspeed service is due to the availability of application-specific integrated circuits used in the satellites' onboard processors and phased-array antennas.
Telesat will add 500 megahertz of military Ka-band (Mil-Ka) spectrum to the initial 156 satellites of its Lightspeed constellation.
The Mil-Ka spectrum change would affect 25% of Lightspeed's total spectrum.
Telesat still plans to launch the first two Lightspeed satellites in December 2026.
Telesat's Lightspeed LEO system is intended to provide secure and resilient connectivity services to governments, businesses, and defense users.
Telesat says the development of Mil-Ka for Lightspeed responds to evolving operational requirements, technological advances, and higher defense spending by NATO and other allies.
Telesat expects the Mil-Ka spectrum change to be implemented without affecting the Lightspeed program schedule.
SatixFy, part of MDA Space, developed the ASICs used in Lightspeed's onboard processors and phased-array antennas.
Telesat has postponed the start of full Lightspeed service until the first quarter of 2028.
Telesat plans a high-cadence launch campaign during 2027 for Lightspeed.
Telesat expects to launch the first two Lightspeed satellites in late 2026.
Telesat has a heavy launch cadence planned throughout 2027 for Lightspeed.