Viasat plans to use Telesat’s Lightspeed low-Earth-orbit network in its Amara multi-orbit inflight connectivity service despite a three-month shift in the satellite operator’s target for global coverage. Telesat now expects global service around the end of the second quarter of 2028, rather than the end of the first quarter. Viasat Aviation president Don Buchman said the revised timing does not change the company’s plans for the network.
Telesat is targeting a launch of two Lightspeed pathfinder satellites aboard a third-party Falcon 9 around June 2027. MDA Space is building the satellites, which are still in development; Telesat expects them to be ready for launch. The company plans to test the spacecraft and network for about two months before starting production launches, expected to begin around September 2027. Telesat cited the tight launch market and its reluctance to use a Falcon 9 slot for only two satellites as factors in the schedule.
The change applies to global availability, not the planned start of regional service. Telesat still expects to offer service at higher latitudes by the end of the first quarter of 2028, supporting Canadian government requirements in the Arctic and northern rural broadband. The earlier regional coverage could generate revenue before the network reaches global service.
Viasat has contracted for Lightspeed capacity and intends to integrate it with its wider network through Amara. The company has completed its three-satellite ViaSat-3 network, while JetBlue has selected Amara for new aircraft.