Thales, Maxar Doing Systems Design for Telesat's LEO Constellation

Telesat signed an agreement with Thales Alenia Space and SSL parent Maxar Technologies for system design work for the satellite operator's planned low earth orbit communications constellation. Telesat said Monday that in coming months, the two companies will complete preliminary design and do technical reviews leading to a proposal for manufacture and launch of the satellites and deployment of the ground system infrastructure. It anticipates choosing a prime contractor by mid-2019.