NASA Selects Telesat Government Solutions for Space-to-Space High Data Rate Connectivity
May 03 2022 - 6:00AM
Telesat Government Solutions, a U.S.-incorporated, wholly-owned
subsidiary of Telesat (Nasdaq and TSX: TSAT), today announced a
US$30.65 million Funded Space Act Agreement from the National
Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) as a partner for its
Communications Services Project (CSP). Since NASA plans to
decommission its owned and operated Tracking and Data Relay
Satellite (TDRS) system in the coming years, the agency’s CSP will
evaluate commercial SATCOM networks’ feasibility to reliably
support future near-Earth missions.
Under the agreement, Telesat Government Solutions will
demonstrate Telesat Lightspeed’s future space-to-space relay
capabilities. As part of the initiative, Telesat Government
Solutions intends to partner with Planet Labs PBC (NYSE: PL)
(Planet) to develop a space-based RF terminal hosted on two Earth
observation spacecraft.
Once in orbit, Telesat Government Solutions will demonstrate
Ka-band, high throughput transmission from the space-based RF
terminals to Telesat operated satellites flying at a higher
altitude, as well as mesh, space relay connectivity between the
optically-linked Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites before
downlinking data to representative NASA operation centers.
Optically-linked LEO satellites, which are native to Telesat
Lightspeed, provide resilient, assured space-to-space connectivity
for manned and unmanned space missions. Services such as those
being demonstrated through this agreement will create a
space-to-space relay service for NASA and other government agencies
to support mission requirements.
“Space Relay services via the advanced Telesat Lightspeed
architecture provide a compelling value proposition for NASA and
other government agencies, and we are excited to pioneer this
promising and high-growth market,” said Tom Eaton, President of
Telesat Government Solutions. “NASA’s collaboration with the
industry has been most impressive as they aim to leverage
commercial sector investment and innovation to meet their future
near-Earth communications requirements.”
Related Resources:NASA, Industry to Collaborate on Space
Communications by 2025NASA Communications Services Project
About Telesat Government Solutions
Telesat U.S. Services, LLC (dba Telesat Government Solutions) is
a wholly-owned, U.S.-incorporated subsidiary of leading satellite
operator Telesat. Telesat Government Solutions provides reliable
and secure global communications networks that the U.S. Government
and allies require and the information superiority and mission
assurance they demand. Telesat Government Solutions offers
resilient infrastructure and real-time operations management,
leveraging the most cutting-edge satellite technologies.
About TelesatBacked by a legacy
of engineering excellence, reliability and industry-leading
customer service, Telesat Corporation (“Telesat”) (NASDAQ and TSX:
TSAT) is one of the largest and most successful 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. Operating under its international
priority Ka-band spectrum rights, Telesat Lightspeed will redefine
global satellite connectivity with ubiquitous, affordable,
high-capacity links with fibre-like speeds. For updates on Telesat,
follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, or visit www.telesat.com.
Media contacts:
Lynette SimmonsTelesatinfo@telesat.com+1 613 748 8729
Jimi RussellPublic Affairs OfficerNASA’s Glenn Research Center
James.j.russell@nasa.gov
Forward-Looking Statements Safe
Harbor
This news release contains statements that are
not based on historical fact, including financial outlook for 2022,
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,” “intends,”
“plans,” 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: 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 impact of COVID-19
on Telesat Corporation’s business and the economic environment; 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 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, 2021, that was filed on March 18, 2022,
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.
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