SSL to deliver prototype Ka-band satellite for Telesat’s global LEO constellation

PALO ALTO, Calif., 28 April 2016.Space Systems Loral (SSL), a provider of commercial satellites, won a contract from satellite operator Telesat for a prototype Ka-band satellite that Telesat expects to launch into low earth orbit (LEO) next year as part of the test and demonstration phase for a global constellation that Telesat engineers are now designing.

"The prototype spacecraft we are providing to Telesat demonstrates the versatility of our LEO capability,” says John Celli, president of SSL. “Our focus on low-cost production has enabled SSL to win a growing range of satellite contracts. Telesat is a long-term SSL customer and we look forward to supporting them in their test and demonstration phase.”

"Telesat is pleased to be working with SSL in the test and demonstration phase of the global Ka-band constellation Telesat is developing,” says Dave Wendling, Telesat’s chief technical officer. “Telesat looks forward to conducting extensive testing of our contemplated LEO system to optimize its performance.”

With this contract, SSL currently has 21 LEO satellites in production. SSL also has two GEO satellites in production for Telesat.

Telesat is a global satellite operator, providing reliable and secure satellite-delivered communications solutions worldwide to broadcast, telecom, corporate, and government customers. Headquartered in Ottawa, Canada, with offices and facilities around the world, the company’s state-of-the-art fleet consists of 15 satellites plus the Canadian payload on ViaSat-1 with two new satellites under construction. An additional two prototype spacecraft are under construction and will be deployed in low earth orbit. Telesat also manages the operations of additional satellites for third parties. Privately held, Telesat’s principal shareholders are Canada’s Public Sector Pension Investment Board and Loral Space & Communications Inc. (NASDAQ: LORL).

Space Systems Loral (SSL) is a provider of commercial satellites with broad expertise to support satellite operators and innovative space related missions. The company designs and manufactures spacecraft for services such as direct-to-home television, video content distribution, broadband Internet, mobile communications, and Earth observation. As a Silicon Valley innovator for more than 50 years, SSL’s advanced product line also includes state-of-the-art small satellites, and sophisticated robotics and automation solutions for remote operations.

SSL GOES satellite