Telesat is turning to Calian Group to build another major component of its cutting-edge low-Earth-orbit satellite system in a move that cements the working relationship between two of Ottawa’s most prominent publicly traded companies. Telesat, which is headquartered on Elgin Street and trades on the Nasdaq and Toronto Stock Exchange, said Monday Kanata-based Calian will […]
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Telesat is turning to Calian Group to build another major component of its cutting-edge low-Earth-orbit satellite system in a move that cements the working relationship between two of Ottawa’s most prominent publicly traded companies.
Telesat, which is headquartered on Elgin Street and trades on the Nasdaq and Toronto Stock Exchange, said Monday Kanata-based Calian will design, develop and deploy the platform that will transmit data across Telesat’s Lightspeed low-Earth-orbit satellite constellation.
Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
In a news release, Telesat said the Calian-engineered Operational Data Platform will form the “secure, real-time data backbone” across Telesat’s LEO satellite constellation, landing stations and user terminals.
The system will allow various components of the state-of-the-art satellite network to communicate and share data in real time. Calian, which trades on the TSX, will build the platform using its proprietary centralized management platform as the architectural foundation, Telesat said.
“Calian’s expertise in designing resilient data systems is essential as we deliver a global network that provides mission-critical connectivity for defence, enterprise, telecom and mobility markets,” Michel Forest, Telesat’s chief technology officer, said in the release.
“With decades of proven performance in designing custom solutions for Telesat, we’re confident that Calian is the right partner to implement this key platform for the Telesat Lightspeed system.”
In an interview with OBJ on Monday afternoon, Forest noted the two companies have “a long history of working together” on various projects.
Last year, for example, Calian won the contract to develop and deploy software that will monitor much of the equipment used in Lightspeed, a multibillion-dollar project Telesat hopes will put it at the forefront of the emerging LEO satellite boom aimed at delivering better broadband internet service to far-flung parts of the globe.
Calian’s software will monitor components in hundreds of satellites that will eventually comprise the Lightspeed network, giving technicians a clear view of the data so they can accurately assess the health of assets such as user terminals, landing station antennas and onboard satellite systems.
That deal helped lay the foundation for Monday's announcement, Forest said, explaining that Telesat had “many options” when it came to choosing a partner to build the Operational Data Platform, but Calian’s expertise and track record set it apart.
“They proved to be an excellent partner and they have the skills to (produce the data platform),” he said. “We’re fortunate to have a partner as local as them.”
The latest announcement comes as Telesat continues to push toward a 2026 launch of the Lightspeed system, which will include 198 LEO satellites in a network the company says will “revolutionize broadband connectivity for enterprise and government users.”
CEO Dan Goldberg said earlier this year the company remains on track to deliver its first low-Earth-orbit satellites by the end of next year, saying the company is “making really good progress across all of the different work streams” on the US$3.5-billion project.
On Monday, Forest reiterated that Lightspeed remains on course to debut next year.
“So far, so good. This is a very ambitious program,” he said. “We’re on track for the first launch (in 2026), and we look forward to bringing that to completion with the start of services in late ’27.”
Still, the path to this point hasn’t always been smooth for Telesat.
The company's original plan called for 298 LEO satellites to be supplied by French-Italian aerospace giant Thales Alenia Space at a price tag of about US$5 billion, with the initial launch targeted for 2024.
But supply-chain disruptions and soaring inflation pushed the project’s estimated cost up to US$5.5 billion, forcing Telesat to reduce the scope of the program and delay production as it sought to rein in costs and secure additional financing.
In 2023, Telesat severed ties with Thales Alenia Space and turned to Canadian aerospace firm MDA to manufacture the satellites in a move that’s expected to save the company US$2 billion in capital costs.
Telesat shares were up $1.88, or more than five per cent, to $36.95 in late afternoon trading on the TSX, while Calian’s stock price had fallen 81 cents to $48.82.
