Telesat receives “global rights” for LEO satellite system
November 8, 2017
By Chris Forrester
Canadian satellite operator Telesat says it has received approvals from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to use about 4 GHz of Ka-band spectrum for its proposed Low Earth Orbiting satellite system.
Telesat, in a statement, said its new satellites will enable and accelerate the world’s digital transformation by providing high-performing, cost-effective, fibre-like broadband anywhere in the world for business, government and individual users.
Space Systems/Loral has delivered the first of a pair of ‘Phase 1’ test satellites to the Vostochny Cosmodrome in Eastern Russia where it will launch aboard a Soyuz-2 vehicle provided by Glavkosmos.
Telesat says that its initial 120 satellites will be in place by 2021. The operator says it is considering expanding its constellation beyond the initial deployment.
A rival proposal from OneWeb was approved in June.
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