Telesat Anticipates 2017 Launch To Test Its LEO Constellation Plans

Telesat plans to launch two low earth orbit satellites in mid- to late 2017 to test and validate plans for an eventual high-throughput, Ka-band LEO constellation, the company said in a news release Wednesday. Telesat said it's contracted with SSL and Airbus' Surrey Satellite Technology for the two prototypes and already has priority rights to some Ka-band spectrum in non-geostationary orbits through the ITU for the constellation.