Telesat (Lightspeed)

700 kg satellites, MDA will build antennas. One prototype spacecraft was on the failed Sojuz launch. Reduced to 198 from 298 satellites due to cost increases.

• Timeline now beginning deployment in 2022 with the launch of 78 satellites into polar orbits. Remaining 220 satellites would be launched into inclined orbits by the end of 2023.
• Telesat eyes 2026 for first Lightspeed launches amid funding delays.

• The Canadian government agreed in November to pay Telesat 600 million Canadian dollars over 10 years to provide subsidized broadband internet services to rural Canadian communities.
• Telesat remains committed to developing its Lightspeed low Earth orbit (LEO) broadband constellation despite ongoing delays to cover the project’s rising costs, CEO Dan Goldberg said March 29, 2023.
• Pandemic-related manufacturing issues have also pushed out Lightspeed’s service debut to at least 2026, Telesat said in May 2022 during its last update on the constellation’s deployment schedule.
• LEO 3 demonstration satellite was successfully launched. The LEO 3 satellite, built by Space Flight Laboratory (SFL), features Ka- and V-band payloads and will provide continuity for customer and ecosystem vendor testing campaigns following the decommissioning of Telesat’s Phase 1 LEO satellite.
• Telesat Contracts MDA as Prime Satellite Manufacturer for Its Advanced Telesat Lightspeed Low Earth Orbit Constellation, 2023-08-11.
• Telesat has contracted 14 launches on SpaceX’s Falcon 9. The launch campaign is scheduled to commence in 2026 and will take advantage of SpaceX’s high launch cadence to rapidly deploy the satellites and enable Telesat to begin providing global service in 2027.
• Satellite operator Telesat plans to use Aalyria’s Spacetime networking tech for its Lightspeed satellite constellation 2023-11-14.
• Telesat and Government of Canada Agree to Terms on C$2.14 Billion Loan in Support of Telesat Lightspeed, 2024-04-01.
• First relay demo in June 2025, 2024-07-05.
• Telesat Completes $2.54 Billion Funding Agreements for Telesat Lightspeed Satellite Constellation with Strong Government Backing.
• Growing forecasts for LEO constellations predict multiple winners, 2024-06-04.
• Telesat secures substantial multi-year contract with Viasat for Telesat Lightspeed services, 2025-04-07.

Backed by a legacy of engineering excellence, reliability, and industry-leading customer service, Telesat is one of the largest and most successful global satellite operators.