Telesat expands relationship with Calian to develop resilient operational data platform for Telesat Lightspeed

Rhea-AI Summary

Telesat (NASDAQ/TSX: TSAT) has expanded its partnership with Calian Group Ltd. (TSX: CGY) to develop the Operational Data Platform for the Telesat Lightspeed Low Earth Orbit (LEO) network. The platform will serve as the secure, real-time data backbone across Telesat's LEO satellite constellation, Landing Stations, and User Terminals.

Building upon their existing relationship, where Calian was selected in 2024 to deliver the LEO network's Element Management System (EMS), the new platform will be built using Calian's proprietary Centralized Management Platform (CMP). The system will enable real-time situational awareness, automated mission response, and secure data exchange between network components and operational platforms.

Insights

Space Technology & Satellite Infrastructure Expert

Telesat's expanded partnership with Calian strengthens critical data infrastructure for their LEO constellation, enhancing network capabilities for defense and enterprise markets.

Telesat's expanded engagement with Calian represents a strategic enhancement to their Lightspeed LEO satellite network infrastructure. The new Operational Data Platform will serve as the secure, real-time data backbone connecting the entire satellite constellation with ground infrastructure. This platform isn't merely supportive technology—it's a mission-critical component that will enable real-time situational awareness, automated responses, and secure data exchange across multiple domains.

The technical architecture leverages Calian's proprietary Centralized Management Platform (CMP), providing high performance, robust security, and cloud environment flexibility. This builds on Calian's existing role delivering the network's Element Management System (EMS) secured in 2024, which monitors operational health of network assets including terminals and satellite systems.

From an industry perspective, this partnership addresses the complex challenge of managing asynchronous data flows with high availability across a distributed space network. The implementation strengthens Telesat's ability to deliver resilient connectivity services to defense, enterprise, telecom and mobility markets—all sectors requiring exceptional reliability and security.

Notably, this development enhances Canada's strategic space capabilities by building secure connectivity infrastructure accessible globally. The timing of this announcement suggests Telesat is progressing steadily with its Lightspeed constellation development, focusing on the critical ground segment and operational systems needed before the network becomes fully operational.

OTTAWA, Sept. 29, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Telesat (Nasdaq and TSX: TSAT), one of the world’s largest and most innovative satellite operators, and Calian Group Ltd. (TSX: CGY), a trusted provider of mission-critical solutions for defence, space, healthcare and other critical infrastructure sectors, today announced an engagement to develop the operational data platform for the Telesat Lightspeed Low Earth Orbit (LEO) network.

Calian will design, develop, integrate, and deploy the Telesat Lightspeed Operational Data Platform, which will form the secure, real-time data backbone across Telesat’s LEO satellite constellation, Landing Stations and User Terminals.

“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,” said Michel Forest, Telesat’s Chief Technology Officer. “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.”

The Operational Data Platform will support bi-directional, asynchronous data flows and high availability across multiple domains—enabling real-time situational awareness, automated mission response, and secure data exchange between the Telesat Lightspeed network components and various operational and business platforms that leverage the system data.

“Telesat Lightspeed represents a vital step forward in building Canada’s strategic national capability with ubiquitous, secure connectivity that can be accessed anywhere in the world,” said Chris Pogue, President, Defence and Space, Calian. “Calian has long been committed to excellence in space and defence, ensuring customers have the right solutions built for their current and future needs. From NORAD modernization to remote broadband connectivity and beyond, we’re proud to deliver the secure digital infrastructure that supports Canada’s next-generation satellite network.”

Calian will build the Operational Data Platform using its proprietary Centralized Management Platform (CMP) as the architectural foundation, ensuring high performance, robust security, and extensibility across public and private cloud environments.

This contract is an expansion of Calian’s ongoing role in the Telesat Lightspeed program. In 2024, Telesat selected Calian to deliver the LEO network’s Element Management System (EMS), which manages and monitors the operational health of key network assets like User Terminals, Landing Station antennas, and onboard satellite systems.

The agreement is between Calian Group Ltd. and Telesat LEO ULC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Telesat Corporation.

About Telesat

Backed by a legacy of engineering excellence, reliability and industry-leading customer service, Telesat (Nasdaq and TSX: TSAT) is one of the largest and most innovative 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 state-of-the-art Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite network, has been optimized to meet the rigorous requirements of telecom, government, maritime and aeronautical customers. Telesat Lightspeed will redefine global satellite connectivity with ubiquitous, affordable, high-capacity, secure and resilient links with fibre-like speeds. For updates on Telesat, follow us on LinkedIn, X, or visit www.telesat.com.

Media Contacts:
W2 Communications for Telesat
telesat@w2comm.com

Telesat Forward-Looking Statements Safe Harbor

This news release contains statements that are not based on historical fact 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,” “can,” 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. There are numerous risks and uncertainties associated with Telesat’s business and the Telesat Lightspeed constellation. Known risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to: inflation and rising interest rates; tariffs; Telesat’s ability to meet the funding conditions of its funding agreements with the Government of Canada and Government of Quebec; technological hurdles, including our and our contractors’ development and deployment of the new technologies required to complete the constellation in time to meet our schedule, or at all; the availability of services and components from our and our contractors’ supply chains; competition; risks associated with domestic and foreign government regulation, including access to sufficient orbital spectrum to be able to deliver services effectively and access to sufficient geographic markets in which to sell those services; Telesat’s ability to develop significant commercial and operational capabilities; risks associated with operating satellites and providing satellite services, including satellite construction or launch delays, launch failures, in-orbit failures or impaired satellite performance; and volatility in exchange rates. 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, 2024, that was filed on March 27, 2025, 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 https://www.sec.gov/ and SEDAR’s website at https://www.sedarplus.ca/ as well as our subsequent reports on Form 6-K filed with the SEC and also available on SEDAR.

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About Calian

www.calian.com

For over 40 years, Calian has delivered mission-critical solutions when failure is not an option. Trusted worldwide, we empower organizations in critical industries to overcome obstacles, manage risks and drive progress. By combining the expertise of our people, proven industry insight, cutting-edge technology, bold innovation and global reach, we deliver tailored solutions that solve complex challenges. Headquartered in Ottawa, Canada, with over 5,000 people around the world, Calian’s solutions protect lives, strengthen security, foster global connectivity and drive economic progress, making a lasting impact where and when it matters most. 

Product or service names mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

Media inquiries:
media@calian.com 
613-599-8600

Investor Relations inquiries:
ir@calian.com 

FAQ

What is the purpose of Telesat's new Operational Data Platform with Calian?

The platform will serve as the secure, real-time data backbone across Telesat's LEO satellite constellation, enabling real-time situational awareness, automated mission response, and secure data exchange between network components.

How does this contract expand Telesat's existing relationship with Calian?

This contract builds upon Calian's 2024 selection to deliver the LEO network's Element Management System (EMS), now expanding to develop the complete Operational Data Platform for Telesat Lightspeed.

What technology will be used to build Telesat's new Operational Data Platform?

The platform will be built using Calian's proprietary Centralized Management Platform (CMP) as the architectural foundation, ensuring high performance, robust security, and extensibility across cloud environments.

What markets will the Telesat Lightspeed network serve?

The network will provide mission-critical connectivity for defence, enterprise, telecom and mobility markets with ubiquitous, secure connectivity accessible worldwide.

Who is responsible for developing Telesat's LEO network infrastructure?

Calian Group Ltd. is developing key infrastructure components, including both the Element Management System (EMS) and the Operational Data Platform for Telesat's LEO network.