Telesat Government Solutions and Cailabs Collaborate on Secure Optical Connectivity for Government Missions

Strategic collaboration agreement explores interoperability between Telesat Lightspeed advanced low Earth orbit network and Cailabs' production-ready optical ground systems to provide resilient, high-capacity space-to-ground communications

ARLINGTON, Va. - September 1, 2026 - Telesat Government Solutions, a wholly owned subsidiary of Telesat Corporation (Nasdaq and TSX: TSAT), and Cailabs US, Inc. today announced the signing of a strategic collaboration agreement to explore the integration of secure, resilient and high-capacity optical space-to-ground connectivity for U.S. Government and Allied missions.

Under the terms of the agreement, the companies will explore integration of the optical inter-satellite links on the Telesat Lightspeed low Earth orbit (LEO) spacecraft with Cailabs' production-ready optical ground systems, deployment capabilities and ground network expertise. Together, they will pursue joint studies and demonstrations of this combined capability for U.S. Government opportunities, including space data relay services.

"Government users need communications architectures that combine resilience, security and high capacity with the flexibility to operate across space and terrestrial networks," said Chuck Cynamon, President of Telesat Government Solutions. "We believe that combining Telesat Lightspeed with Cailabs' mature optical ground capabilities creates the potential to offer differentiated solutions designed for the demanding, sovereign connectivity requirements of U.S. and Allied missions."

The Telesat Lightspeed LEO network is purpose-built to deliver secure, resilient, and high-performance connectivity for mission-critical defense and government applications worldwide. The network is designed to offer services in both commercial Ka-band and Mil-Ka spectrum, enabling flexible support for a broad range of operational requirements while helping ensure protected communications in contested environments. Designed with security and survivability in mind, the Telesat Lightspeed LEO network features a space-based mesh architecture supported by 900 optical inter-satellite link terminals, creating a secure space-based backbone that routes traffic in orbit and enhances network resilience, availability, and global reach.

Cailabs complements this architecture with fixed and transportable optical ground stations designed for operational deployment. Its ground systems use proprietary atmospheric turbulence compensation technology and have already routinely established optical space-to-ground links with satellites equipped with TESAT SCOT80 terminals, the same terminal family selected for Telesat Lightspeed.

"Telesat Lightspeed brings the scale and advanced network architecture required to make optical connectivity a core capability for government missions," said Jeff Huggins, President of Cailabs US. "Combined with Cailabs' proven ground systems and industrial deployment capacity, it gives customers a credible path to secure, resilient and operational space-to-ground services."

Cailabs has deployed optical ground systems at customer and partner sites in several regions and is expanding its industrial capacity to support deployment at scale, with a target production capacity of up to 50 optical ground stations per year.

The collaboration positions Telesat Government Solutions and Cailabs to address government requirements with an integrated space and ground architecture, combining advanced in-orbit networking with industrialized optical ground infrastructure.