Telesat Sees 2,000+ Satellites Launched for LEO Constellation

Telesat expects to put up as many as 2,020 satellites during a 15-year span for its planned low earth orbit broadband constellation, it told the FCC International Bureau this week. Phase 1 of the constellation would be 298 satellites, with 1,671 in Phase 2, plus spares and replacements, it said. The satellites' design life would be 11 years, including a 10-year service life and six months for orbit lowering, Telsat said. It said it expects a “favorable” or “qualified favorable” finding by the ITU Radiocommunication Bureau on compliance with applicable equivalent power flux density limits.