OTTAWA, CANADA, April 27, 2016 – Telesat, a leading global satellite operator, has procured two prototype Ka-band satellites for operation in low earth orbit (LEO) that Telesat anticipates launching mid-to-late 2017 as part of a test and validation phase for an advanced, global LEO satellite constellation that Telesat is developing. Through an authorization issued by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED), Telesat has secured priority rights to certain Ka-band spectrum in non-geostationary orbits (NGSO) at the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) to operate such a constellation.Telesat has contracted with Space Systems Loral (SSL) of Palo Alto, California, and Surrey Satellite Technology Limited (SSTL), an independent British company within the Airbus Defence & Space group, for the procurement of the prototypes. By drawing on the advanced technologies and expertise of these leading manufacturers, Telesat will test and demonstrate two distinct spacecraft in LEO, a key step in optimizing the design and performance of Telesat’s contemplated LEO constellation.
...Our two Phase 1 LEO satellites will be launching later this year. One is being built by Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd. based in the U.K., a company within the Airbus Defence and Space group. It will be placed into LEO orbit using an ISRO Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV). The second is being built by Space Systems Loral, partnering with the Space Flight Laboratory at the University of Toronto, and will be delivered to orbit on a Soyuz launcher. ...
https://iz.ru/664893/dmitrii-strugovetc-anastasiia-sinitckaia/novaia-orbita-vostochnogoGoogle translate:QuoteIn total, 17 sats are planned to be put into orbit from the Russian territory, among them LEO Vantage and AISSat-3 (both Canada), IDEA (Japan), SEAM (Sweden), two Landmapper-BC and 10 LEMUR (all USA), D- Star One (Germany).As part of Roscosmos' commitments, the Russian student satellite Baumanets-2 will also be launched.
In total, 17 sats are planned to be put into orbit from the Russian territory, among them LEO Vantage and AISSat-3 (both Canada), IDEA (Japan), SEAM (Sweden), two Landmapper-BC and 10 LEMUR (all USA), D- Star One (Germany).As part of Roscosmos' commitments, the Russian student satellite Baumanets-2 will also be launched.
Quote[SpaceNews Nov. 6, 2017] FCC grants Telesat LEO market access despite ViaSat protestsFollowing market approval given to OneWeb in June, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission on Nov. 3 granted global fleet operator Telesat permission to reach the U.S. with a constellation of 117 low-Earth orbit satellites....Canada-based Telesat is the second LEO constellation after OneWeb to receive market access from the United States.The FCC also granted Space Norway market access Nov. 3 to reach the U.S. with two satellites in non-geostationary elliptical orbits. Both Telesat and ViaSat sought to block Space Norway.I don't see this on the FCC site yet.
[SpaceNews Nov. 6, 2017] FCC grants Telesat LEO market access despite ViaSat protestsFollowing market approval given to OneWeb in June, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission on Nov. 3 granted global fleet operator Telesat permission to reach the U.S. with a constellation of 117 low-Earth orbit satellites....Canada-based Telesat is the second LEO constellation after OneWeb to receive market access from the United States.The FCC also granted Space Norway market access Nov. 3 to reach the U.S. with two satellites in non-geostationary elliptical orbits. Both Telesat and ViaSat sought to block Space Norway.
Soyuz Failure Results in Loss of First Telesat Phase 1 LEO SatelliteVostochny Cosmodrome, Eastern Russia, November 28, 2017 – Telesat learned this morning that the Soyuz 2 launch vehicle that was to place 19 spacecraft into orbit, including Telesat’s first Phase 1 LEO satellite, has failed.Notwithstanding this failure, Telesat’s plans to develop a state-of-the-art, high capacity LEO constellation that will deliver transformative, low latency, fiber-like broadband to commercial and government users worldwide, remain on track. A second Phase 1 LEO satellite is scheduled for launch in the coming weeks on ISRO’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) from the Sriharikota launch site.
The successful launch of an Indian Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) Jan. 11 marked not just the return to flight of the rocket but also major achievements for several of the companies with payloads on board the vehicle....Canadian satellite operator Telesat also had a payload on the rocket, one of its two demonstration satellites for its planned low Earth orbit constellation. The 168-kilogram LEO Phase 1 satellite, built by Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd. in the United Kingdom, will test technologies Telesat plans to use in a 120-satellite constellation the company plans to deploy by 2021. The other satellite, built by the University of Toronto’s Space Flight Laboratory, was lost on a failed Soyuz launch in November.“The launch of our Phase 1 satellite is the starting point in making our next generation LEO system a reality and we thank SSTL and ISRO for the success of the mission to date,” Dan Goldberg, president and CEO of Telesat, said in a statement. The company said it will use the satellite in trials with a number of customers in “growing enterprise segments” later in the year.
Another interesting object from the January PSLV launch was Telesat's LEO Vantage 1, deployed into a 496 x 508 km orbit. While I wasn't paying attention, it raised orbit slowly between Jan 21 and Apr 5 and is now in a 996 x 1004 km SSO.
THALES ALENIA SPACE AND MAXAR TECHNOLOGIES’ SSL FORM CONSORTIUM TO FURTHER DESIGN AND DEVELOP TELESAT’S LEO SATELLITE CONSTELLATIONTelesat has selected consortium to participate in its LEO system ‘design phase’07/30/2018CANNES, France and WESTMINSTER, Colo. - July 30, 2018 - Thales Alenia Space, a Joint Venture between Thales (67 %) and Leonardo (33 %), and SSL, a Maxar Technologies company (NYSE: MAXR; TSX: MAXR), have signed a consortium agreement to pursue the development and manufacture of Telesat’s highly advanced global LEO satellite constellation and end-to-end system. In addition the consortium, led by Thales Alenia Space, announced today that they have been awarded a contract by Telesat for a System Design and Risk Management Project for the Telesat LEO constellation.Following a highly rigorous process involving leading satellite manufacturing companies, Telesat selected the Thales Alenia Space / Maxar consortium for its LEO design phase based on the consortium’s compelling proposal for the end-to-end system, the maturity of the required technologies, and the competitiveness of its solution. The three companies will work together on the design of the end-to-end system, including satellites, gateways, user terminals, operations centers, and ground network. Telesat will provide funding during this phase and anticipates selecting a prime contractor, either the Thales Alenia Space / Maxar consortium or an alternate team, in mid-2019 for Telesat’s LEO program – space segment, ground segment and system integration. Telesat’s LEO constellation will transform global communications by offering an unsurpassed combination of capacity, speed, security, resiliency and low cost with latency performance that is as good or better than the most advanced terrestrial networks. These capabilities will be available globally and will enable Telesat LEO to become a core component in satisfying many of the world’s most challenging communications requirements. Telesat LEO will accelerate 5G expansion, end the digital divide with fiber-like high speed services into rural and remote communities, and establish new levels of performance for commercial and government broadband on land, sea and in the air.The Thales Alenia Space / Maxar consortium brings proven experience, industrial capability and a strong supplier base for fully integrated communications satellite systems, including payload antenna design, on-board processing and LEO satellite production. The companies have formed fully integrated teams across multiple work streams located in France, the U.S. and Canada in order to apply the consortium’s very best talent to every task. The Thales Alenia Space / Maxar solution will enable Telesat’s LEO constellation to deliver for its customers multi-Terabits of highly secure, low latency communications around the globe at the most competitive cost.
2's a crowd: @AirbusSpace @AirbusDefence has been hired by Telesat to perform design study for Telesat LEO program. @MDA_maxar @MaxarTech @sslmda & @Thales_Alenia_S are doing a competing study. Decision in early 2019 on who's the prime.
https://twitter.com/telesat/status/1090950636957515778Looks like Alphabet (Google's parent company) picked Telesat as a partner.
Quote from: Ronsmytheiii on 01/31/2019 08:44 pmhttps://twitter.com/telesat/status/1090950636957515778Looks like Alphabet (Google's parent company) picked Telesat as a partner.That's is a little weird, because they are investor in SpaceX (Starlink) and their compete together...
I've long thought the Telesat constellation was a more formidable competitor than OneWeb.People like to act like Musk is all hype and no action (dumb), but Wyler has been hyping OneWeb for much longer, and it STILL hasn't had anything launch. Telesat, on the other hand, has been quietly working.
Quote from: Robotbeat on 02/01/2019 01:35 pmI've long thought the Telesat constellation was a more formidable competitor than OneWeb.People like to act like Musk is all hype and no action (dumb), but Wyler has been hyping OneWeb for much longer, and it STILL hasn't had anything launch. Telesat, on the other hand, has been quietly working.OneWeb has satellites at the launch pad. Telesat hasn't even selected a contractor yet.
Quote from: gongora on 02/01/2019 01:50 pmQuote from: Robotbeat on 02/01/2019 01:35 pmI've long thought the Telesat constellation was a more formidable competitor than OneWeb.People like to act like Musk is all hype and no action (dumb), but Wyler has been hyping OneWeb for much longer, and it STILL hasn't had anything launch. Telesat, on the other hand, has been quietly working.OneWeb has satellites at the launch pad. Telesat hasn't even selected a contractor yet.Telesat has already launched prototypes over a year ago whereas OneWeb has not. The whole argument that “we can skip prototypes and go straight to production” is incredibly naive for a new company & just because Wyler’s good at hyping that solution doesn’t mean I have to be naive enough to believe it. But the horse race is missing the point: Telesat’s architecture is superior.
Quote from: Robotbeat on 02/02/2019 04:24 pmQuote from: gongora on 02/01/2019 01:50 pmQuote from: Robotbeat on 02/01/2019 01:35 pmI've long thought the Telesat constellation was a more formidable competitor than OneWeb.People like to act like Musk is all hype and no action (dumb), but Wyler has been hyping OneWeb for much longer, and it STILL hasn't had anything launch. Telesat, on the other hand, has been quietly working.OneWeb has satellites at the launch pad. Telesat hasn't even selected a contractor yet.Telesat has already launched prototypes over a year ago whereas OneWeb has not. The whole argument that “we can skip prototypes and go straight to production” is incredibly naive for a new company & just because Wyler’s good at hyping that solution doesn’t mean I have to be naive enough to believe it. But the horse race is missing the point: Telesat’s architecture is superior.Can you say why you consider the architecture of Telesat superior to the Oneweb?
Source: https://www.reddit.com/r/spacex/comments/a2bvuw/a_technical_comparison_of_three_low_earth_orbit/
Small launch vehicle developer Relativity announced April 5 a contract with Telesat to launch a portion of that company’s low Earth orbit broadband satellite constellation.The contract covers the launch of an unspecified number of Telesat LEO satellites on Relativity’s Terran 1 launch vehicle, starting no earlier than 2021. The companies declined to disclose the terms of the contract.
https://twitter.com/jeff_foust/status/1171445913245470725QuoteMowry mentions Blue Origin’s deal with Telesat. Shotwell interjects: is that a real deal, signed contract? Mowry: yes it is.
Mowry mentions Blue Origin’s deal with Telesat. Shotwell interjects: is that a real deal, signed contract? Mowry: yes it is.
Maxar Technologies and Thales Alenia Space abandoned plans to jointly compete to build Telesat’s low-Earth-orbit broadband constellation, setting up a now three-way race for a multibillion-dollar contract expected to be awarded soon.
Maxar Technologies no longer expects, at least initially, to win any manufacturing contracts for Telesat’s future multibillion-dollar broadband megaconstellation of roughly 300 satellites. Dan Jablonsky, Maxar’s chief executive, said Aug. 5 during an earnings call that a procurement decision for the constellation, called Telesat LEO, remains delayed — an announcement was expected in mid-2019 — and no longer looks like a significant business opportunity for Maxar.
@Telesat proposes to liberate 400MHz of C-band spectrum & sell half itself to fund LEO constellation, return other half to Flag of Canada Gov for public auction. C$85m funding & C$600m commitment over next decade not enough - more Gov support needed. Launch in 2023.
Canadian satellite fleet operator Telesat is in advanced discussions with vendors seeking to build and launch satellites for its multibillion dollar, 298-satellite Telesat LEO constellation.“My expectation is that we’d be in a position to make some announcements about who those vendors are by the end of this year,” Telesat CEO Dan Goldberg said during an Oct. 29 earnings call.
Telesat announced Nov. 9 that it finalized an agreement with the Canadian government to provide subsidized broadband internet services to rural communities in the country. The government will pay Telesat $600 million Canadian ($460 million) over 10 years, and Telesat will, in turn, offer a “dedicated pool” of broadband capacity for rural communities at “greatly reduced rates.”Telesat will start receiving that funding once the Telesat LEO constellation enters service. However, the company has yet to select a manufacturer for those satellites, let alone start deploying them. In an Oct. 29 earnings call, Telesat Chief Executive Dan Goldberg said the company should make “some announcements” about satellite manufacturers before the end of the year.
Telesat remains optimistic about prospects for LEO constellationQuoteTelesat announced Nov. 9 that it finalized an agreement with the Canadian government to provide subsidized broadband internet services to rural communities in the country. The government will pay Telesat $600 million Canadian ($460 million) over 10 years, and Telesat will, in turn, offer a “dedicated pool” of broadband capacity for rural communities at “greatly reduced rates.”Telesat will start receiving that funding once the Telesat LEO constellation enters service. However, the company has yet to select a manufacturer for those satellites, let alone start deploying them. In an Oct. 29 earnings call, Telesat Chief Executive Dan Goldberg said the company should make “some announcements” about satellite manufacturers before the end of the year.
Is the 460 million tied to milestones or can Telesat start to cash in and hypothetically start launching near the end of the ten year period?
"This is not a consumer broadband play," Goldberg said.
One of the key technologies that Goldberg said the Lightspeed satellites will leverage is intersatellite links
Telesat plans to begin launching the first Lightspeed in 2023, with initial satellites launched by Jeff Bezos's Blue Origin on its New Glenn rocket. Goldberg said he's been tracking New Glenn's development "closely," as the rocket's inaugural launch is planned in the next year, but he's confident that "it will be ready" when Telesat begins launching in two years. Telesat will also "be announcing other launch providers in the coming months."
The network, known in the industry as a constellation, will consist of 298 next-generation satellites that orbit the Earth at an altitude of about 1000 kilometers, or a little over twice the altitude of the International Space Station.
QuoteThe network, known in the industry as a constellation, will consist of 298 next-generation satellites that orbit the Earth at an altitude of about 1000 kilometers, or a little over twice the altitude of the International Space Station.Despite what people might claim I do not believe that this is a positive aspect. Higher orbits are worse for space debris and also for light polution.
Telesat has designed and will operate the Lightspeed satellites in a manner that ensures that LEO orbits are safely available for other users and that the night sky is safeguarded for astronomical observation.
QuoteOne of the key technologies that Goldberg said the Lightspeed satellites will leverage is intersatellite linksStarlink doesn't currently have inter-satellite links but probably will by the time the Telesat launches.
There have been at least two Starlink satellites launched with the laser interlinks. On September 3rd, 2020, SpaceX announced the two spacecraft had successfully tested the laser interlinks on board the satellites.
TESAT partners with MDA for Telesat Lightspeed Telesat Lightspeed © TelesatBacknang, 22.03.2021: TESAT is honored to announce its collaboration with MDA for the upcoming Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite broadband network Telesat Lightspeed. MDA, a Canadian space manufacturer, has been selected to provide one of the critical technology subsystems for this innovative constellation.TESAT has partnered with MDA as part of the development of the Direct Radiating Array (DRA), a revolutionary phased array that will herald the future of satellite communications.MDA will deliver over 1000 units for which TESAT, as a collaboration partner, will provide essential power components. These RF modules are based on TESAT’s longtime heritage and knowhow in the development and production of space equipment, paired with its capability and experience in the high reliable and high volume space module production.“MDA is excited to collaborate with TESAT on the Telesat Lightspeed program. TESAT’s ability to deliver high quality RF modules at a high production rate will be key to the success of the Direct Radiating Array program.”-Amer Khouri, VP Satellite Systems, MDA. About TesatAt TESAT in Backnang, around 1,000 employees develop, manufacture and distribute systems and equipment for telecommunications via satellite. The product range spans from smallest space-specific components to modules, entire assemblies or payloads. As the world's only provider and technology leader of in-orbit-verified optical terminals for data transmission via laser (LCTs), TESAT has a focus on commercial and institutional space programs.About MDAServing the world from its Canadian home and global offices, MDA is an international space mission partner and a robotics, satellite systems and geointelligence pioneer with a 50-year story of firsts on and above the Earth. With over 2,000 employees across Canada, the US and the UK, MDA is leading the charge towards viable Moon colonies, enhanced Earth observation, communication in a hyper-connected world, and more. With a track record of making space ambitions come true, MDA enables highly skilled people to continually push boundaries, tackle big challenges, and imagine solutions that inspire and endure to change the world for the better, on the ground and in the stars. www.MDA.space
It has lined up Blue Origin and Relativity Space, which have yet to conduct an orbital launch, and Goldberg said it is in talks with others that he expects to announce this year.He said he is confident Blue Origin will be up and running by the time it needs to launch....The New Glenn rocket Blue Origin is developing could launch around 30 of its satellites at a time, he said, depending on the orbit. SpaceX could launch 15-16 satellites to an inclined orbit on a Falcon 9 and “something like 13” to a polar orbit.Launches will happen “around two years time,” he added.
The Canadian government said May 21 that it will hold an auction for the 3800 MHz band in early 2023 and not Telesat. It is unclear whether Telesat will be compensated for satellites, gateways and other infrastructure it loses as it relocates broadcast services to other parts of the band.C-band holders in the U.S. are getting billions of dollars from the FCC’s auction for reimbursements and incentive payments to expedite the clearing process.However, Canada has a history of revoking spectrum and not providing compensation to incumbent users.
@Thales_Alenia_S will provide the Optical Inter Satellite Links for @Telesat ’s #Lightspeed LEO 298-satellite #constellation http://thls.co/XaHV50F8j1G Building on 20 years of @Thales_Alenia_S ’s expertise in optical communications and optoelectronics instruments in #Switzerland
https://twitter.com/Thales_Alenia_S/status/1403362549299548160Quote@Thales_Alenia_S will provide the Optical Inter Satellite Links for @Telesat ’s #Lightspeed LEO 298-satellite #constellation http://thls.co/XaHV50F8j1G Building on 20 years of @Thales_Alenia_S ’s expertise in optical communications and optoelectronics instruments in #Switzerland
Telesat has struck a deal with Ontario’s government to partly fund its Lightspeed constellation, which will dedicate some of its satellite capacity to improving connectivity in the Canadian province.The Ottawa, Ontario-headquartered satellite operator said the five-year agreement is worth 109 million Canadian dollars ($87 million), and focuses on extending high-speed internet and cellular networks to unserved and underserved communities.Lightspeed, the low Earth orbit broadband constellation that Telesat aims to bring into service in 2023, will offer internet service providers and cellular operators substantially reduced rates for part of its capacity under the plan.
Telesat is close to securing all the funds it needs for Lightspeed, after the Canadian government said it would inject more than a billion dollars into the low Earth orbit constellation.The government plans to invest 1.44 billion Canadian dollars ($1.15 billion) in the project, which aims to start launching a network of nearly 300 broadband satellites next year.In return, Telesat will invest in Canadian infrastructure to build out Lightspeed, including hundreds of jobs and scholarships.It means Telesat has now made arrangements for about 4 billion Canadian dollars of funding for Lightspeed, more than two-thirds of its expected overall cost. Telesat has put a $5 billion price tag on Lightspeed, or 6.3 billion Canadian dollars.
Canadian satellite operator Telesat expects to start publicly trading shares next week, broadening potential funding sources for its delayed $5 billion low Earth orbit Lightspeed broadband network.Telesat expects to finish its merger with Loral Space & Communications, a major shareholder that already trades on the Nasdaq, Nov. 19 following a two-day closing process.<snip>Diversifying funding sources is becoming increasingly important for the operator as pandemic-related component shortages cause delays at Europe’s Thales Alenia Space (TAS), which is prime manufacturer for Lightspeed under a $3 billion contract.Dan Goldberg, Telesat’s CEO, said during the company’s quarterly financial results call Nov. 5 that TAS “recently informed us that the global supply chain issues out there will delay the construction of the Lightspeed satellites, which in turn will delay our getting into commercial service.<snip>A Telesat official said the company does not anticipate any issues with the operator’s ITU filings, however, it will need to seek an extension to meet commitments made with the Federal Communications Commission.“In regards to the FCC, Telesat does not expect to deploy 50% of its currently-authorized satellites prior to the FCC’s 50% deadline of November 3, 2023,” the official told SpaceNews.“However, we can seek a waiver under precedents in which the FCC has extended milestones based on factors such as substantial expenditures and concrete progress toward completion of satellite construction.”
Satellite operator Telesat started trading as a public company Nov. 19 in the U.S. and Canada, boosting talks with export-credit agencies about funding the rest of its $5 billion Lightspeed broadband constellation.Ottawa-based Telesat did not raise cash in listing on Nasdaq and the Toronto Stock Exchange by merging with shareholder Loral Space & Communications, but the move should help accelerate years of discussions with debt lenders to secure the final $2 billion it needs for a network comprising nearly 300 satellites in low Earth orbit.<snip>The biggest obstacle in the way of finalizing Telesat Lightspeed’s funding is the uncertainty around the constellation’s deployment schedule, however, as its European manufacturer Thales Alenia Space runs into pandemic-related supply chain issues.Goldberg said Telesat is still waiting to hear from Thales about the magnitude of these delays.“Our teams are meeting on a daily basis figuring this out,” he said, adding that Thales has to “go back through their supply chain and whatnot, so it takes a little bit of time, but we’ll know shortly.”The company does not expect any issues with Telesat Lightspeed’s International Telecommunication Union filings, but it has said it will need an extension to meet deployment commitments made with the U.S. Federal Communications Commission.Without a waiver from the FCC, Telesat has to deploy 50% of Lightspeed’s satellites by Nov. 3, 2023.Lightspeed’s manufacturing delays will not result in a “meaningful change” in cost for Telesat, Goldberg added, and potentially give it more time to optimize the network’s design.<snip>He expects to have clarity on Telesat’s discussions with Canada’s export-credit agency, and its counterpart in France, “in the coming months” to finalize the constellation’s financing in the near term.The next step after completing the financing will be to “hit the big green button” on production, according to Goldberg.
Landing stations that can connect to Telesat’s planned low Earth orbit (LEO) broadband network will start being built in spring 2023, according to an executive for the Canadian satellite operator.Danish equipment supplier Cobham SATCOM plans to install the first of 30 global landing stations in Canada, Telesat LEO landing station and user terminal director Aneesh Dalvi said after announcing their partnership Feb. 1.Cobham SATCOM built the landing station for testing the Telesat Phase 1 prototype that was launched to LEO in January 2018, and is also in the process of replacing most of the ground infrastructure for U.S.-based satellite operator Globalstar.
Telesat is considering ordering fewer satellites for its planned low Earth orbit broadband constellation as inflation and supply chain woes drive up the price tag and push out its completion to 2026. During a March 18 earnings call about Telesat’s 2021 results, CEO Dan Goldberg told analysts, “we either need to raise more money, or we need to descope the constellation” to keep it within a previously projected $5 billion budget. Telesat chose Thales Alenia Space of France and Italy in February 2021 as prime contractor for the 298-satellite Lightspeed constellation. By late last year, Thales told Telesat it had run into pandemic-related production delays.
Telesat has upgraded a quarter of its planned low Earth orbit constellation as supply chain issues force it to consider ordering fewer satellites for the delayed broadband network.The Canadian company’s plan to double the antennas onboard Telesat Lightspeed’s first 78 satellites brings the constellation back to a single satellite design that, according to a company executive, will help cut costs as production delays push out the service’s debut a year to 2026.These initial satellites are destined for polar orbits and the changes mean they will have two pairs of antennas like the inclined satellites planned for the rest of the constellation, said Erwin Hudson, Lightspeed’s system development vice president.
Increasing costs and delays have forced Telesat to downsize plans for 298 low Earth orbit satellites by a third to keep within its $5 billion budget.The Canadian satellite operator plans to order just 188 satellites plus 10 in-orbit spares from Thales Alenia Space, Telesat CEO Dan Goldberg said during the company’s May 6 earnings call.That is still enough for the Telesat Lightspeed network to provide “something like 10 terabits of capacity” globally, according to Goldberg, which is more capacity than all current satellites in geostationary orbit combined.
Risky to interpret individual career moves, but Isabelle Buret, @Thales_Alenia_S chief engineer for @Telesat Lightspeed LEO network & former Thales design director for @IridiumComm Next constellation, has left to become VP, advanced system development, at @OneWeb.
.@Telesat Lightspeed @ITU deadline beyond reach, co will ask for extension; new @Thales_Alenia_S inflation-adjusted cost estimate plus @Bpifrance @ExportDevCanada contingency funding demand could increase cost by $1B, to $6B. https://bit.ly/3vPNNDI
Amazon and Telesat said Sept. 21 they have finalized spectrum arrangements to keep their planned satellites in non-geostationary orbit (NGSO) from interfering with each other.The coordination deals “ensure the coexistence” of their broadband constellations, the companies told the Federal Communications Commission in a letter.Both constellations plan to use Ka-band spectrum to provide broadband services to user terminals. Amazon secured a spectrum license for its Project Kuiper network as part of the FCC’s 2020 NGSO processing round, while Telesat’s Lightspeed was processed as part of an earlier 2016 round.
Mobile satellite connectivity specialist Anuvu said Jan. 17 it has signed a deal to resell Starlink services as plans to use a rival constellation proposed by Telesat remain uncertain.<snip>Around the middle of this year, SpaceX is slated to launch the first two small GEO satellites for Anuvu’s dedicated constellation. Anuvu ordered the satellite from Astranis in 2021 four months after emerging from bankruptcy protection.The dedicated satellites are part of an expansion plan that in February 2022 saw Anuvu sign “the largest yet in a series of satellite capacity deals” with Telesat, a Canadian company with a fleet of GEO satellites.Their agreement covered capacity on GEO satellites using terminals designed to be forward-compatible with the Canadian operator’s proposed Lightspeed LEO constellation.Mike Pigott, Anuvu’s executive vice president for connectivity, described the agreement at the time as “setting the stage for LEO connectivity with Telesat Lightspeed.”However, Telesat’s LEO plans are beset by cost overruns and delays that have pushed any commercial service launch to at least 2026.Telesat said last year that it expected to finalize funding for the constellation of nearly 200 satellites around the end of 2022, enabling Europe’s Thales Alenia Space to kick-start full-scale production.Asked for an update, Telesat told SpaceNews Jan. 18 that the operator is “not issuing any new public statements at this time.”
Telesat publishes Q4-2022 quarterly report, finally admits won't meet FCC milestones for Lightspeed, says might not get extension, explains ITU milestones but won't mention 01-JAN-23 deadline for milestone 1 as in Q4-2021 report. Is Lightspeed dead?
Telesat now expects to start deploying satellites for Lightspeed around 2026, six years later than originally planned as talks to fund the low Earth orbit broadband constellation drag on.
Speaking during the company’s quarterly earnings call with analysts, Goldberg said inflationary pressures have since stabilized but he did not give an update on Lightspeed costs or launch agreements for the nearly 200 satellites to be built by Europe’s Thales Alenia Space.Telesat has previously said it plans to use rockets still under development by Blue Origin and Relativity Space to deploy the constellation.
OTTAWA, CANADA – August 11, 2023 –Telesat (NASDAQ and TSX: TSAT), one of the world’s largest and most innovative satellite operators, today announced that space technology company MDA Ltd. (TSX: MDA) will build 198 advanced satellites for the Telesat Lightspeed Low Earth Orbit (LEO) program. Telesat also announced that Telesat Lightspeed is now fully funded through global service delivery taking into account the company’s own equity contribution, certain vendor financing, and aggregate funding commitments from its Canadian federal and provincial government partners.
MDA is building 198 satellites for Telesat’s Lightspeed constellation under a contract worth 2.1 billion Canadian dollars ($1.6 billion), with launches slated to start in the middle of mid-2026.Weighing 750 kilograms each, Telesat CEO Dan Goldberg said the satellites are 75% smaller than earlier versions planned by Thales Alenia Space, but would have the same performance by using digital beam-forming array antennas instead of the analog terminals MDA was due to supply as a subcontractor.Telesat expects the total cost for 156 satellites to be around $3.5 billion, when factoring in launches and other expenses, including the ground systems and user terminal technology that would also be used for the 42 follow-on satellites.Glenn Katz, Telesat’s chief commercial officer, told SpaceNews the company has contracted all the launch vehicles required to complete the 198-satellite constellation, but declined to disclose details.
<snip>Glenn Katz, Telesat’s chief commercial officer, told SpaceNews the company has contracted all the launch vehicles required to complete the 198-satellite constellation, but declined to disclose details.
Quote from: spacenuance on 08/11/2023 06:50 pm<snip>Glenn Katz, Telesat’s chief commercial officer, told SpaceNews the company has contracted all the launch vehicles required to complete the 198-satellite constellation, but declined to disclose details.Seems likely Telsat has call up the Hawthonre folks to deploy their Lightspeed constellation. The alternate launch options seems to be under capacity and expensive.
About 10x F9R launches so $600-650m.
MDA: Our $1.55B, 198-satellite @Telesat Lightspeed contract's a huge help to our bids for other LEO constellations, several of which have passed our credibility test. Supply chain decisions - bus, laser terminals - yet to come.
Great News!Telesat Lightspeed satellites will be launched into orbit by SpaceX using their Falcon 9 rocket. The launches are scheduled to begin in 2026 and SpaceX’s rapid launch cadence will ensure worldwide services available to Telesat customers by 2027
Telesat and SpaceX Announce 14-Launch Agreement for Advanced Telesat Lightspeed LEO SatellitesOTTAWA, CANADA and HAWTHORNE, CALIFORNIA – September 11, 2023 –Telesat (NASDAQ and TSX: TSAT), one of the world’s largest and most innovative satellite operators, and SpaceX, which designs, manufactures and launches the world’s most advanced rockets and spacecraft, today announced a multi-launch agreement to deliver the Telesat Lightspeed constellation to Low Earth Orbit (LEO).Telesat has contracted 14 launches on SpaceX’s Falcon 9, the most reliable and only reusable orbital rocket flying today, which will carry up to 18 Telesat Lightspeed satellites to LEO per launch. 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. Launches for the campaign will lift off from SpaceX’s launch facilities in California and Florida.Designed from inception to serve the demanding, mission-critical connectivity requirements of enterprise and government users, the optically-linked Telesat Lightspeed network will provide multi-Gbps data links and highly secure, resilient, low-latency broadband connectivity anywhere in the world. With the August signing of MDA as the prime satellite manufacturer and all necessary launch contracts in place for global constellation deployment, Telesat is well-positioned to begin delivering unmatched, enterprise-class connectivity in 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, the most ambitious program in Telesat’s 54-year history,” stated Dan Goldberg, Telesat’s President and CEO. “Given the dedication and professionalism of the SpaceX team, and their outstanding track record of reliability and demonstrated high launch cadence, I have the utmost confidence that they will be an outstanding partner in helping us bring Telesat Lightspeed into service in a timely and low risk manner.”“With growing demand for high-speed internet around the world, SpaceX is proud to launch and deploy Telesat’s Lightspeed constellation” said SpaceX President and Chief Operating Officer Gwynne Shotwell. “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.”
Does the plan call for more prototypes, or will the next launch for Lightspeed be full-scale satellites?The first launch will be the actual satellites, although maybe we’ll launch just a couple of them and do a bunch of in-orbit testing and whatnot before getting on a very active launch cadence to populate the constellation.
My expectation is mass production will probably be in the middle of the second half of 2025.
You have previously talked about launch agreements with Blue Origin and Relativity Space. Is that still the plan?We have those arrangements in place, and we’ve got another announcement that’ll be coming as well [Telesat announced a contract with SpaceX Sep. 11 for 14 Falcon 9 launches, enough for deploying the entire constellation].
How would 198 satellites improve services versus 156?The initial 156 will give us a hugely capable, multi-terabit constellation, but getting up to 198 will give us some incremental capacity and densify the network.
She said Telesat did not intend to use Relativity for the initial constellation deployment. Instead, Telesat would use the 3D printing specialist for single satellite launches to replace a satellite or add to the constellation.
https://spacenews.com/telesat-signs-multi-launch-spacex-deal-covering-all-lightspeed-satellites/QuoteShe said Telesat did not intend to use Relativity for the initial constellation deployment. Instead, Telesat would use the 3D printing specialist for single satellite launches to replace a satellite or add to the constellation.Based on this, sounds like they were only planning on using Terran 1. Now that thats gone, I doubt Terran R will be used at all now that they signed with Falcon and are keeping the Blue contract open for later launches.
Planning on using an LV that is not yet operational has proven to be a bad idea.
I'd guess they get a multi-launch discount, but I'll also guess SpaceX provides the deployers, so that may add back a little.
Quote from: gongora on 09/11/2023 04:30 pmI'd guess they get a multi-launch discount, but I'll also guess SpaceX provides the deployers, so that may add back a little.I highly doubt they were provided with any discount. SpaceX could charge a premium based on “congested supply” and still win easily.
Any big space project more than 3 years in the future is dubious, due to ongoing possibility of a big economic crash.
Quote from: Danderman on 09/12/2023 03:05 amAny big space project more than 3 years in the future is dubious, due to ongoing possibility of a big economic crash.I know of no big space project that has ever met a scheduled date more than 3 years in the future, except the Apollo Moon landing. No big economic crash is needed. Space industry schedules are fantasies. Telesat actually has a better chance than most, since they intend to use a proven LV.I could be wrong, Counterexamples welcome.
Quote from: DanClemmensen on 09/12/2023 01:26 pmQuote from: Danderman on 09/12/2023 03:05 amAny big space project more than 3 years in the future is dubious, due to ongoing possibility of a big economic crash.I know of no big space project that has ever met a scheduled date more than 3 years in the future, except the Apollo Moon landing. No big economic crash is needed. Space industry schedules are fantasies. Telesat actually has a better chance than most, since they intend to use a proven LV.I could be wrong, Counterexamples welcome.Starlink.
B. Summary of Request for Milestone Extension or Bond PortingIn this filing, Telesat requests that the Commission:(i)Grant extensions of (x) the first milestone in Telesat’s Grant,3 which establishes a deadline for Telesat to launch and place into operation 50% of its 117 first round satellites, from November 3, 2023, to March 19, 2028; and (y) the second milestone in Telesat’s Grant, which establishes a deadline for Telesat to launch and place into operation the remainder of its 117 first round satellites, from November 3, 2026, to June 10, 2028.4(ii)In the alternative, if the Commission declines to extend Telesat’s milestones, Telesat asks that its first processing round bond be ported and placed at risk against Telesat’s second processing round Modified Design system. In a contemporaneously filed amendment to its second round application (the “Companion Amendment”), Telesat is requesting that if Telesat’s milestone extension request is denied, which would have the effect of causing Telesat’s first processing round Grant to be terminated, the Commission convert Telesat’s second processing round application, which currently seeks a modification of the first round Grant, to a stand-alone second processing round application.
SAT-MPL-20231026-00263QuoteB. Summary of Request for Milestone Extension or Bond PortingIn this filing, Telesat requests that the Commission:(i)Grant extensions of (x) the first milestone in Telesat’s Grant,3 which establishes a deadline for Telesat to launch and place into operation 50% of its 117 first round satellites, from November 3, 2023, to March 19, 2028; and (y) the second milestone in Telesat’s Grant, which establishes a deadline for Telesat to launch and place into operation the remainder of its 117 first round satellites, from November 3, 2026, to June 10, 2028.4(ii)In the alternative, if the Commission declines to extend Telesat’s milestones, Telesat asks that its first processing round bond be ported and placed at risk against Telesat’s second processing round Modified Design system. In a contemporaneously filed amendment to its second round application (the “Companion Amendment”), Telesat is requesting that if Telesat’s milestone extension request is denied, which would have the effect of causing Telesat’s first processing round Grant to be terminated, the Commission convert Telesat’s second processing round application, which currently seeks a modification of the first round Grant, to a stand-alone second processing round application.SAT-MPL-20231026-00264
OTTAWA, CANADA – April 1, 2024 – Telesat (NASDAQ and TSX: TSAT), one of the world’s largest and most innovative satellite operators, announced that on March 28, 2024, Telesat received a letter from Canada’s Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry regarding an investment in Telesat Lightspeed. The letter states that, following several months of negotiations between Telesat and federal officials, the Government of Canada (GoC) is prepared to invest C$2.14 billion in Telesat Lightspeed by way of a loan to Telesat LEO Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Telesat, that is developing and will own and operate the highly advanced Telesat Lightspeed Low Earth Orbit (LEO) global broadband satellite constellation.
