OTTAWA – Telesat has procured two prototype Ka-band satellites for operation in low earth orbit (LEO) that are expected to launch in mid-to-late 2017.
Ordered from Space Systems Loral (SSL) and Surrey Satellite Technology Limited (SSTL), the new birds are part of a test and validation phase for an advanced, global LEO satellite constellation that Telesat is developing.
Telesat added that it has secured priority rights to certain Ka-band spectrum in non-geostationary orbits at the International Telecommunications Union to operate such a constellation, thanks to an authorization issued by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada.
“Telesat is proud of our long and distinguished record of satellite innovation, including technical breakthroughs that have enabled our customers to realize significant gains in broadband performance,” said Telesat’s chief technical officer Dave Wendling, in the news release. “We are now developing a global constellation of advanced, high throughput LEO satellites operating in Ka-band, which we believe will offer a number of important advantages for the global delivery of high capacity broadband services. The Telesat team looks forward to working with SSL and SSTL to validate and demonstrate key parameters of our contemplated next generation satellite network as well as with other technology partners as we move forward with our plans.”
