Telesat to use Farcast antenna user terminal in modems

Executive Summary

• Telesat Corp. has entered into a new agreement with Farcast to develop fully integrated enterprise-class user terminals for the Telesat Lightspeed satellite network.
• Telesat is making a $5 million U.S. equity investment in Farcast and will appoint a representative to Farcast’s board of directors to align with the Lightspeed program goals.
• The collaboration leverages Farcast’s proprietary active electronically scanned antenna technology to reduce size, weight, power, and cost (SWaP-C) while enabling full-duplex communication.

Key Details

• Investment Amount: $5 million (U.S.) equity investment by Telesat in Farcast.
• Governance: Telesat will take a seat on Farcast's board of directors.
• Product Scope: Development of an enterprise-class flat panel antenna user terminal fully integrated with the Telesat Lightspeed modem.
• Technology: Farcast’s proprietary active electronically scanned antenna technology using electronic beam scanning to compensate for satellite and user movement, utilizing a single-aperture, full-duplex Fixed Phase Array (FPA).
• Benefits: Reduced SWaP-C (Size, Weight, Power, and Cost) to enhance value for Telesat Lightspeed customers.
• Timeline: Terminals fully integrated with the Telesat Lightspeed modem are planned for availability in 2027.
• History: Telesat and Farcast have collaborated since 2022 on a preproduction development program, with various hardware iterations already built and tested.
• Target Markets: Telecom, enterprise, aviation, and defense applications.

Notable Quotes

• Michel Forest, Chief Technology Officer, Telesat: "Throughout prototype development, we've seen first-hand Farcast's innovative approach to extending satellite communications capability and reach through small form factor FPAs that deliver outstanding performance... We see value not only in what Farcast can provide for Telesat's telecom and enterprise customers, but the wider satellite industry for mass-produced, high performing terminals, including aviation and defence applications."
• Siamak Ebadi, Founder and CEO, Farcast: "Our collaboration with Telesat has been a cornerstone of our journey to date. By working hand in hand, we are developing FPA technology that will meet the stringent performance and reliability requirements to ensure mission-critical connectivity for Telesat's customers."