Lightspeed LEO constellation (2016–2025)
In 2016 Telesat announced it would launch a low-Earth-orbit (LEO) constellation of 120 satellites, in polar orbit and in inclined orbits, about 1000 km in altitude. The satellites would use the Ka-band, across 6 orbital planes, having at least 12 satellites in each plane. The siting of the orbital planes is to comply with the Canadian government's Enhanced Satellite Constellation Project, as well as providing global coverage.[11] The constellation is officially named Telesat Lightspeed.[12]
In 2017, Telesat expanded the LEO constellation plan to about 300 satellites, coupled with 50 ground stations across the globe. There would be about 80 polar orbit satellites, with the remainder in inclined orbits, for global coverage, including polar regions. The internet satellite constellation is targeted to have a 30-50 ms latency. The satellites are expected to be around 800 kg and last 10 years on orbit. The constellation is expected to have a 16-24 Tb/s capacity with 8 Tbit/s (1 TB/s) available for customers.[13]
In 2018, the Phase 1 pathfinder test satellite for the LEO constellation was launched. Various customers and satellite transceiver equipment manufacturers started testing with the satellite.[14][15][16]
In 2019, Telesat contracted with Blue Origin on their New Glenn rocket and Relativity Space with their Terran 1 rocket, for satellite launches to their LEO constellation.[13]
In 2020, Telesat filed plans for expanding the satellite count to its LEO constellation to over 1,600 satellites.[17][18] In November 2020, Telesat announced that it will become publicly traded on the American stock index NASDAQ in mid-2021.[19]
In July 2023, LEO 3 satellite was launched.[20] In August 2023, Telesat switched suppliers for its planned Lightspeed global internet network, from Thales Alenia Space to MDA.[21] In 2025, Telesat continued to develop its Telesat Lightspeed program.[22] In September 2023, Telesat announced a new contract with SpaceX for 14 launches with up to 18 satellites on each launch for the Lightspeed constellation, starting in mid-2026.[23] Viasat signed a "substantial" contract to use the service in April 2025, shortly after smaller customer agreements were announced with Space Norway, Orange, and ADN Telecom.[24]
