Telesat selects Space Flight Laboratory to manufacture LEO 3 demonstration satellite
May 30 2023 - 7:00AM
Telesat (NASDAQ and TSX: TSAT), one of the world’s largest and most
innovative satellite operators, today announced a contract award to
Space Flight Laboratory (SFL) of Toronto, Ontario to manufacture a
Low Earth Orbit (LEO) demonstration satellite for Telesat.
The demonstration satellite, named LEO 3, will
provide continuity for customer and ecosystem vendor testing
campaigns following the decommissioning of Telesat’s Phase 1 LEO
satellite. Once successfully launched and on-station, LEO 3 will
operate under an existing ITU network filing for Telesat
Lightspeed, the company’s enterprise-class LEO constellation.
“We’re excited to partner with SFL, who has as a
proven track record for building high-performing satellite
platforms - on time and within budget,” stated Dave Wendling,
Telesat’s Chief Technical Officer. “LEO 3 will serve an important
role for low-latency customer applications testing, and for
supporting LEO antenna and modem development efforts in advance of
our Telesat Lightspeed satellite deployment.”
SFL is developing LEO 3 on its popular DEFIANT
microsatellite platform, a cost-effective design that supports
demanding missions without sacrificing performance. The completed
LEO 3 will be a compact microsatellite measuring 30x30x45 cm with a
mass of 30 kg. More than a dozen DEFIANT satellites developed for
SFL clients are now in orbit serving applications ranging from
maritime ship tracking to radio frequency signal mapping.
“DEFIANT is a scalable platform with the power
capabilities and versatility to support a variety of mission
objectives, yet it is compact enough to keep launch costs at a
manageable level for commercial programs,” said SFL Director Dr.
Robert E. Zee. “SFL is pleased that our microspace technology can
be the enabler for Telesat to achieve its demonstration goals for
high bandwidth operations in LEO.”
LEO 3 is nearing completion at SFL following a
relatively aggressive development schedule. SFL has integrated the
communications payload with the LEO 3 bus and successfully
completed vibration and electromagnetic compatibility testing of
the spacecraft. Additional tests are ongoing.
SFL’s 25-year heritage includes 65 operational
successes, with an additional 27 under development or awaiting
launch. Missions support a wide range of applications related to
Earth observation, atmospheric monitoring, ship tracking,
communication, radio frequency (RF) geolocation, technology
demonstration, space astronomy, solar physics, space plasma, and
other scientific research.
About Telesat
Backed by a legacy of engineering excellence,
reliability and industry-leading customer service, Telesat (NASDAQ
and TSX: TSAT) is one of the largest and most innovative global
satellite operators. Telesat works collaboratively with its
customers to deliver critical connectivity solutions that tackle
the world’s most complex communications challenges, providing
powerful advantages that improve their operations and drive
profitable growth.
Continuously innovating to meet the connectivity
demands of the future, Telesat Lightspeed, the company’s Low Earth
Orbit (LEO) satellite network, will be the first and only LEO
network optimized to meet the rigorous requirements of telecom,
government, maritime and aeronautical customers. Telesat Lightspeed
will redefine global satellite connectivity with ubiquitous,
affordable, high-capacity links with fibre-like speeds. For updates
on Telesat, follow us @Telesat on Twitter, LinkedIn, or visit
www.telesat.com.
About Space Flight Laboratory
(SFL)
SFL generates bigger returns from smaller, lower
cost satellites. Small satellites built by SFL consistently push
the performance envelope and disrupt the traditional cost paradigm.
Satellites are built with advanced power systems, stringent
attitude control and high-volume data capacity that are striking
relative to the budget. SFL arranges launches globally and
maintains a mission control center accessing ground stations
worldwide. The pioneering and barrier-breaking work of SFL is a key
enabler to tomorrow’s cost-aggressive satellites and
constellations. Follow SFL on Twitter @SFL_SmallerSats or visit
www.utias-sfl.net.
Media contacts:
Lynette SimmonsTelesat+1 613 748
8729pr@telesat.com
Dr. Robert E. ZeeSFL
Director1-416-667-7400info@utias-sfl.net
Forward-Looking Statements Safe
Harbor
This news release contains statements that are
not based on historical fact, including financial outlook for 2023
and the growth opportunities and expected timing around the
financing of Telesat Lightspeed, and are “forward-looking
statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995 and Canadian securities laws. When used herein,
statements which are not historical in nature, or which contain the
words “will,” “can,” “planned,” or similar expressions, are
forward-looking statements. 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. All statements made in this press release are made
only as of the date set forth at the beginning of this release.
Telesat Corporation undertakes no obligation to update the
information made in this release in the event facts or
circumstances subsequently change after the date of this press
release.
These forward-looking statements are based on
Telesat Corporation’s current expectations and are subject to a
number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions. These statements
are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks,
uncertainties and other factors, some of which are beyond Telesat
Corporation’s control, are difficult to predict, and could cause
actual results to differ materially from those expressed or
forecasted in the forward-looking statements. Known risks and
uncertainties include but are not limited to: inflation and rising
interest rates; 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 deploy successfully an
advanced global LEO satellite constellation, and the timing of any
such deployment; the availability of government and/or other
funding for the LEO satellite constellation; the receipt of
additional proceeds in relation to the re-allocation of C-band
spectrum; volatility in exchange rates; the ability to expand
Telesat Corporation’s existing satellite utilization; and risks
associated with domestic and foreign government regulation. The
foregoing list of important factors is not exhaustive. Investors
should review the other risk factors discussed in Telesat
Corporation’s annual report on Form 20-F for the year ended
December 31, 2022, that was filed on March 29, 2023, with the
United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and the
Canadian securities regulatory authorities at the System for
Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (“SEDAR”), and may be
accessed on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov and SEDAR’s website at
www.sedar.com.
A photo accompanying this announcement is available
at
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/41c04faf-1dab-469c-82c8-71c0a40ccca0
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