Telesat, a Canadian satellite operator, has announced a deal to purchase 14 launches of SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket for its Lightspeed internet constellation. The launches are scheduled to begin in 2026 and will help Telesat deploy its planned network of 292 satellites in low Earth orbit.
The deal is a significant win for SpaceX, which is competing with other companies like Amazon and OneWeb to build a global network of satellite internet constellations. SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket is one of the most reliable and cost-effective launch vehicles available, and it is well-suited for the task of deploying large constellations of satellites.
The deal is also a boost for Telesat, which has been working on its Lightspeed constellation for several years. The constellation is expected to provide high-speed, low-latency internet service to customers in North America, Europe, and the Middle East.
The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, but SpaceX typically charges around $67 million per Falcon 9 launch. This would put the total value of the Telesat deal at around $900 million.
The deal is a sign of the growing importance of satellite internet. As more and more people around the world rely on the Internet for work, school, and entertainment, there is a growing demand for high-speed, reliable internet access. Satellite internet constellations offer a way to provide this access to remote and underserved areas.
