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LightspeedTelesat—Telesat adds military Ka-band capability to Lightspeed constellationLightspeedTelesat—Canadian government awards Telesat $2.3 billion Arctic military contract, expanding constellation to 225 satellites

Lightspeed

by TelesatCA

225-satellite LEO constellation with optical inter-satellite links for government and military broadband. Expanded to 225 after $2.3B military contract for Arctic defense.

PilotStage 3 of 5

Manufacturing at Quebec facility. First pathfinder December 2026; commercial early 2028.

Updated Aug 2026Checked 10 Oct0 updates this week

Milestones

Next · First pathfinder satellites launch (December 2026)
  1. Lightspeed program announced2018Complete.
  2. Government of Canada funding finalized (CA$2.54 billion)Sep 2024Complete.
  3. MDA Space selected as prime contractor for 198 satellites2023Complete.
  4. Military Ka-band capability added to constellationMar 2026Complete.
  5. Canadian Defence contract awarded (ESCP-P, 225 satellites)Aug 2026Complete.
  6. First pathfinder satellites launch (December 2026)Target Dec 2026Not yet reached.
  7. Initial 96-satellite service capabilityTarget 2027Not yet reached.
  8. Full constellation deploymentTarget 2027Not yet reached.
  9. Commercial service beginsTarget Q1 2028Not yet reached.

Most important updates

Upcoming

  1. Dec 2026First pathfinder satellites launch (December 2026)in about 7 weeks (next)
  2. 2027Initial 96-satellite service capability
  3. 2027Full constellation deployment
  4. Q1 2028Commercial service begins
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