Press Releases

Ottawa, Canada, January 24, 2019 – Telesat is pleased to announce that the two teams it contracted with last year to develop system designs for Telesat’s global low earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellation have successfully completed System Requirements Reviews. One of the teams is Airbus Defence and Space. The other is a consortium of Thales Alenia Space and Maxar Technologies, the owner of SSL and MDA. Each team is continuing to advance their detailed designs for the complete LEO system, both space and ground segments.

Telesat’s global LEO constellation will revolutionize the delivery of high capacity broadband services by leveraging Telesat’s innovative, patent-pending orbital architecture, global priority spectrum rights, and the most advanced antenna, digital processing, optical communications, launch and manufacturing technologies. It will offer an unsurpassed combination of capacity, speed, affordability, security and resiliency with latency that is equal to, or better than, the most advanced terrestrial networks. Able to serve the entire globe, Telesat LEO will help satisfy many of the world’s most challenging communications requirements such as accelerating 5G expansion, bridging the digital divide with fiber-like services into remote communities, and setting new levels of performance for commercial and government connectivity on land and in growing maritime and aeronautical broadband markets.

“Telesat has ambitious objectives for the performance of its LEO system and the innovative solutions both contractor teams recently presented give us high confidence that the cost and performance goals set for Telesat LEO can be achieved,” said Erwin Hudson, Vice President Telesat LEO. “Working with these two outstanding teams – Airbus and Thales Alenia Space-Maxar – not only reduces project risk but gives Telesat access to the latest space-based technologies from true industry leaders. Telesat continues to collaborate with both teams as they further the development of their designs and we look forward to selecting a prime contractor for the Telesat LEO program later this year.”

About Telesat (www.telesat.com)

Telesat is a leading global satellite operator, providing reliable and secure satellite-delivered communications solutions worldwide to broadcast, telecom, corporate and government customers. Headquartered in Ottawa, Canada, with offices and facilities around the world, the company’s state-of-the-art fleet consists of 17 GEO satellites, the Canadian payload on ViaSat-1 and one Phase 1 LEO satellite which is the start of Telesat’s planned global LEO satellite constellation that will offer low latency, high throughput broadband services. Telesat is also a leading technical consultant providing high value expertise and support to satellite operators, insurers and other industry participants on a global basis. Privately held, Telesat’s principal shareholders are Canada’s Public Sector Pension Investment Board and Loral Space & Communications Inc. (NASDAQ: LORL).

Forward-Looking Statements Safe Harbor

This news release contains statements that are not based on historical fact and are ‘‘forward-looking statements’’ within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. When used in this news release, the words “continuing”, “will”, “leveraging”, “objectives”, “confidence”, “look forward to”,or other variations of these words or other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements and information. Actual results may differ materially from the expectations expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements as a result of known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Detailed information about some of the known risks and uncertainties is included in the “Risk Factors” section of Telesat Canada’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017 which can be obtained on the SEC website at http://www.sec.gov. Known risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to: risks associated with operating satellites and providing satellite services, including satellite construction or launch delays, launch failures, in-orbit failures or impaired satellite performance, the ability to successfully deploy an advanced global LEO satellite constellation, volatility in exchange rates and risks associated with domestic and foreign government regulation. The foregoing list of important factors is not exhaustive. The information contained in this news release reflects Telesat’s beliefs, assumptions, intentions, plans and expectations as of the date of this news release. Except as required by law, Telesat disclaims any obligation or undertaking to update or revise the information herein.

Media Contact:

Gerry Nagler
Telesat
+1 908 470-4907
gnagler@telesat.com