OTTAWA – Telesat confirmed the successful launch of its first Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite, a move that it called an important milestone in its plans to deploy a global LEO constellation that will “revolutionize” broadband communications services around the world.
The Phase 1 LEO satellite was launched aboard a Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle operated by the Indian Space Research Organization. Telesat said that its LEO constellation will deliver high-performing, cost-effective, fibre-like broadband anywhere in the world, and that its initial constellation will consist of approximately 120 satellites by 2021, which could be expanded beyond this initial configuration.
The company’s Phase 1 testing will demonstrate key features of Telesat’s LEO system design, in particular the capability of the satellite and customer terminals to deliver a low-latency broadband experience that MEO and GEO satellites cannot provide. Telesat added that it has installed ground infrastructure at its teleport in Allan Park in Ontario to support testing, and that select customers will participate in trials this year.
“Telesat is uniquely positioned to deliver the world’s most advanced and capable LEO constellation given our deep technical expertise, strong track record of innovation, senior spectrum rights, and laser-like focus on customer service and support”, said president and CEO Dan Goldberg, in the news release. “We look forward to beginning customer trials on Telesat LEO and continuing to collaborate with industrial partners as we work to deploy a state-of-the-art, high capacity network that will deliver transformative, low latency, fiber-like broadband to commercial and government users throughout the world.”
