Active
Electron
Rocket Lab
Small-lift, two-stage orbital launch vehicle for dedicated and rideshare small-satellite missions.
TelesatTelesat Lightspeed
In Development
Integrated low Earth orbit network built around a large MDA-made satellite constellation, landing stations, network software, and an ecosystem of user terminals. Lightspeed is aimed at telecom, enterprise, aviation, maritime, government, and defense users, with MEF-aligned service delivery, public/private interconnect options, and both commercial Ka-band and Mil-Ka service tiers.
Latest update Sep 13, 2026
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Current status
Detailed engineering, software development, user terminal work, and ground segment buildout are underway. The first two production satellites are targeted for December 2026, heavy launches are planned through 2027, and full global commercial service is now expected around the end of Q1 2028 after an ASIC-related slip. FY2026 investment guidance was raised to $1.3B-$1.5B (from $1.0B-$1.2B) on Aug 13, 2026 to fund the accelerated 156-to-225-satellite build-out. On September 2, 2026 Farcast completed an over-the-air ESA user-terminal demonstration on Telesat's LEO 3 satellite, the next step toward a fully integrated Lightspeed terminal. The December 2026 pathfinder and Q1 2028 service dates were still the company's public targets in the September 9, 2026 TSX30 announcement.
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Specifications4
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In the news2
Telesat and Orange commission first European Lightspeed gateway
On September 17 Telesat LEO ULC and Orange said they had commissioned the first European gateway for the Telesat Lightspeed constellation, hosted at Orange's World Teleport Association Tier-4 certified teleport in Bercenay-en-Othe, France. Orange is supplying a secure high-speed terrestrial link from the landing station to Telesat's planned Paris point of presence, and the site uses Intellian gateway antennas sized for the planned initial 225-satellite Lightspeed network. Telesat chief commercial officer Glenn Katz tied the build-out to an anticipated global in-service date of Q1 2028 and said the companies would look at further collaboration, including for Orange customers in Europe, Africa and elsewhere.
Canada picks Telesat Lightspeed for Arctic military satcoms
Telesat announced on July 8 an agreement in principle with Canada's Defence Investment Agency to supply secure Military Ka-band connectivity across the Arctic (65°N to 90°N) for the Canadian Armed Forces' Enhanced Satellite Communications Project – Polar. The deal, which builds on a 2025 partnership among the agency, Telesat and MDA Space, would use Telesat's low-Earth-orbit Lightspeed constellation, with a definitive contract expected in the coming weeks. Telesat said the award does not change Lightspeed's targeted first-quarter 2028 global service start.
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