- Telesat and SpaceX have announced a multi-launch agreement to deploy the Telesat Lightspeed constellation to Low Earth Orbit (LEO) starting in 2026.
- The agreement involves 14 launches on SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rockets, with each launch carrying up to 18 Telesat Lightspeed satellites.
OTTAWA and HAWTHORNE, Calif., September 11, 2023 — Telesat, one of the world’s leading satellite operators, and SpaceX, a pioneer in rocket and spacecraft technology, have announced a landmark multi-launch agreement to deploy Telesat’s ambitious Lightspeed constellation to Low Earth Orbit (LEO).
A Partnership for the Future
The agreement involves 14 launches on SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rockets, renowned for their reliability and reusability. Each launch will carry up to 18 Telesat Lightspeed satellites, with the launch campaign set to kick off in 2026. The launches will take place from SpaceX’s facilities in California and Florida.
Lightspeed: The Next-Gen Satellite Network
Designed to meet the stringent, mission-critical connectivity needs of enterprise and government users, the Telesat Lightspeed network aims to provide multi-Gbps data links and highly secure, resilient, low-latency broadband connectivity globally. With the recent signing of MDA as the prime satellite manufacturer and all necessary launch contracts now in place, Telesat is on track to offer unparalleled, enterprise-class connectivity by late 2027.
“SpaceX has been a trusted and effective launch provider to Telesat on our geostationary satellite programs, and I am delighted that they will be supporting us with their highly reliable Falcon 9 rocket to deploy the Telesat Lightspeed constellation,” said Dan Goldberg, Telesat’s President and CEO.
“Building upon our successful launch partnership to-date, we look forward to flying Telesat once again as they expand connectivity capabilities for their customers across the globe,” added SpaceX President and Chief Operating Officer Gwynne Shotwell.
About Telesat
Telesat, backed by a legacy of engineering excellence and customer service, is a global leader in satellite operations. The company’s upcoming Lightspeed network will be the first and only LEO network optimized to meet the rigorous requirements of various sectors, including telecom, government, maritime, and aeronautical.
