There have been several Telesat Lightspeed program developments since the announcement of MDA as our prime satellite manufacturer and the completion of program financing.
Terrestrial technology suppliers selected
These suppliers will focus on the terrestrial infrastructure that is seamlessly integrated into the optically-linked mesh network in space, providing multi-Gbps data links and highly secure, resilient, low-latency broadband connectivity anywhere in the world.
Intellian for gateway antenna systems at Landing Stations
Last month, we announced a contract award for Intellian to design, supply, install, and integrate 127 Gateway Antenna Systems at Landing Stations for the Telesat Lightspeed Low Earth Orbit (LEO) constellation. Intellian’s 4-meter Gateway Antenna System has been meticulously engineered to optimize tracking precision, high gain performance for LEO satellites, and durability in all weather conditions. Built to withstand the harshest environments without requiring radomes, the Gateway Antenna System enhances RF efficiency and reduces long-term maintenance and energy costs.
These Landing Stations play a crucial role in the delivery of Telesat’s enterprise-class services. Each Landing Station will have multiple Intellian Gateway Antennas and baseband, network, and control systems. These stations will route customer data to Points-of-Presence for telecom networks, internet, and cloud services, and will also facilitate private interconnections for customer networks. Along with additional next-generation technology, this infrastructure gives Telesat Lightspeed customers unprecedented flexibility in managing their connectivity and data.
“Our collaboration with Telesat has been exceptional, and the resulting Gateway Antenna Systems are a fascinating addition to our portfolio,” said Eric Sung, CEO at Intellian Technologies Inc. “Seeing how our heritage and experience in delivering innovative design solutions transitioned over to gateway antennas has been very rewarding. This evolution with Telesat solidifies the crucial role we play within the satellite communications ecosystem even more.”
SatixFy for Landing Station baseband units
SatixFy, a leader in next-generation satellite communication systems based on in-house-developed chipsets, will develop and deliver the Landing Station Baseband Units for the upcoming Telesat Lightspeed Network. Under the terms of a new agreement, SatixFy will design, develop, and supply Landing Station Baseband systems to Telesat, with deliveries continuing over 28 months. This baseband equipment will be integrated with the Intellion antennas at the landing stations.
These systems will enable high-speed and efficient communication between the Telesat Lightspeed Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites and the Landing Stations. The Telesat Lightspeed constellation is designed to deliver global, high-speed, low-latency broadband connectivity for enterprise and government organizations.
“We value our strong and growing partnership with Telesat as they look to enhance global connectivity by providing faster and more reliable services to their customers,” said Nir Barkan, Chief Executive Officer of SatixFy. “We are proud to be a critical technology supplier for the Telesat Lightspeed program, and this agreement further strengthens our position as the leading provider of chipsets and equipment for the satellite communications industry. We look forward to continuing to expand our relationship with Telesat, as well as other leading satellite service providers and operators.”
And on the satellite front…
Telesat and MDA announced they have concluded a key phase of the Telesat Lightspeed LEO constellation program with the successful completion of the spacecraft Preliminary Design Review (PDR). Successful PDR completion demonstrates maturity in the design that meets the program’s functional and performance requirements. As part of the process, the PDRs for multiple key subsystems were also successfully completed. With critical PDRs completed, Telesat and MDA are now transitioning to the program’s detailed engineering and manufacturing phase, including the Critical Design Review.
Already in place is an agreement to deliver Telesat Lightspeed satellites into space, with a 14-launch contract on SpaceX’s highly reliable Falcon 9 rocket. Work is also underway with Aalyria’s Spacetime for network orchestration to ensure the efficient flow of customer traffic over the constellation.
Next-Generation network design and performance
Telesat Lightspeed is a new kind of LEO network. It offers unparalleled performance and adaptability to enterprise customers. It has been meticulously designed to function as a flexible and scalable LEO backhaul network, effectively bridging connectivity gaps in areas where terrestrial fibre is either economically unfeasible or physically impractical. This “carrier of carriers” approach links remote communities, aircraft, and maritime vessels to the core telecom infrastructure, giving service providers precise control over how, when, and where they deliver services.
Moreover, the Telesat Lightspeed network facilitates the seamless integration of non-terrestrial networks (NTNs) into terrestrial ones. Telesat Lightspeed will be certified under MEF 3.0 Layer 2 Carrier Ethernet standards, streamlining the fusion of LEO networks with terrestrial counterparts. This breakthrough opens avenues for creating hybrid terrestrial/non-terrestrial 5G fixed and mobile infrastructures, significantly enhancing throughput and reliability for enterprises and consumers.
Existing service providers and equipment manufacturers will bring these capabilities to market. That’s how we’ve provided space services for over 55 years. Our customers know what their customers want, and one of those things is choice. Telesat will also work with regional satellite operators, enabling them with next-generation satellite capacity for their local markets. The future for a new kind of LEO is bright – and right around the corner!
