Telesat is a Canadian satellite communications company and operator, providing connectivity solutions to telecom, government, and enterprise clients globally. They are currently developing Telesat Lightspeed, a low Earth orbit (LEO) constellation of 198 satellites designed for high-speed, low-latency broadband services. Telesat partners with companies like MDA Space, Orange, and Intellian for satellite manufacturing, terrestrial infrastructure, and user terminals. The company aims to begin launching satellites in 2026, with the constellation fully operational by 2027.
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Telesat has secured about $3,300,000,000 of the anticipated $5,000,000,000 cost to build the Lightspeed constellation.
Telesat announced plans to partner with Nelco in September 2020.
Telesat Government Solutions intends to partner with Planet Labs PBC to develop a space-based RF terminal hosted on two Earth observation spacecraft.
Telesat Government Solutions received a $30,650,000 Funded Space Act Agreement from NASA for the Communications Services Project.
Telesat has committed to connecting indigenous communities in Canada’s northernmost areas with its planned LEO constellation in return for government funding.
NASA awarded Telesat Government Solutions a $30,650,000 contract for its Communications Services Project (CSP).
Once in orbit, Telesat Government Solutions will demonstrate Ka-band high-throughput transmission from the space-based RF terminals to Telesat-operated satellites flying at a higher altitude.
Telesat Government Solutions intends to partner with Planet Labs PBC to develop a space-based RF terminal hosted on two Earth observation spacecraft.
Telesat reduced planned low Earth orbit satellites from 298 to 188 operational satellites plus 10 in-orbit spares to keep the project within a $5,000,000,000 budget.
Telesat plans to order 188 satellites plus 10 in-orbit spares from Thales Alenia Space for the Telesat Lightspeed network.
Dish Network renewed a contract to use Telesat’s Anik F3 Ku-band satellite for at least another two years at a lower rate.
Telesat reported 186 million Canadian dollars in revenue for the three months to the end of March, a 2% decrease compared with the same period in 2021 when adjusted for foreign exchange rates.
Telesat expects the Lightspeed project to continue to cost $5,000,000,000 despite downsizing the constellation.
Telesat previously planned to provide 15 terabits of capacity with 298 operational LEO satellites.
Telesat estimated its LEO constellation could capture 1% of a total addressable market worth 430 billion Canadian dollars, implying revenue of 4.3 billion Canadian dollars.
Thales Alenia Space encountered supply chain shortages in October that pushed Telesat Lightspeed’s planned debut out by one year to 2026.
Telesat’s proposed CSP approach targets routine missions for spacecraft in low-Earth orbit using geostationary C-band and LEO Ka-band relay networks.
Telesat U.S. Services won a $30,650,000 CSP award to demonstrate services using a mix of GEO satellites and constellations in LEO and MEO.
Telesat U.S. Services LLC of Arlington, Virginia, received a $30,650,000 CSP award to demonstrate commercial RF geostationary C-band and low-Earth-orbit Ka-band relay networks for high- and low-rate communications services.
Through the Facility Clearance, Telesat Government Solutions will engage directly with the U.S. Government and key personnel to design and deliver advanced connectivity solutions for critical and classified national security missions.