As satellite networks become indispensable to service providers, enterprises, and national security operations, a fundamental shift is underway in how next-generation systems are evaluated. While early conversations around Low Earth Orbit (LEO) constellations centered on the impressive latency and capacity advantages over traditional geostationary (GEO) satellites, the focus is now rapidly expanding beyond sheer performance.
Today, the multiple facets of resiliency – the ability to deliver uninterrupted service under all conditions – have become paramount. This is precisely the kind of resiliency we have built into our new, next-generation LEO network, Telesat Lightspeed.
Space-based resiliency: intelligent mesh architecture
A resilient LEO network begins with intelligence in space. Each Telesat Lightspeed satellite is equipped with four high performance laser communication terminals implementing optical inter-satellite links (OISLs) to form a dynamic mesh network in space. This enhances data delivery, allows for independent management of traffic flows, and makes seamless integration into terrestrial networks possible.
These laser links are engineered to reach twice the required distance, which means they can skip over a satellite if needed. This, combined with powerful onboard data processing, ensures multiple options and flexibility in routing data to its final destination.
Further reinforcing this design is the robust build quality of each satellite, which incorporates extensive redundancies across key subsystems to maintain functionality throughout orbit raising, 10 years of operational service, and de-orbiting.
In orbit, advanced maneuver technologies and space situational awareness (SSA), powered by state-of-the-art technologies, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), help detect and avoid potential collisions, including those caused by space debris.
Ground-based resiliency: landing station and terminal redundancy
Just as space segment resilience is vital, ground infrastructure must be equally robust. Telesat’s global terrestrial network integrates high level of redundancy through multiple Landing Station geographic site diversity and equipment redundancies, offering a high degree of protection against localized outages or severe weather events.
Diversity in fibre and Points of Presence (PoP) routes are in place to ensure high availability and meet the most stringent service level agreements (SLAs). The satellites’ orbital altitude allows each satellite to have simultaneous visibility to multiple landing stations, ensuring data is always reliably delivered.
Service resiliency: software-defined intelligence across all domains
At the foundation of our resiliency model is a software-defined network (SDN) that dynamically allocates capacity to continuously adapt to demand distribution. By leveraging advanced, digital phased array antennas on each spacecraft, the network can dynamically concentrate high-capacity beams geographically based on user demand. Examples could be cruise ship routes, airport terminals, or defence theatres of operation.
Advanced optimization techniques and AI are the foundation of network orchestration software which continuously analyzes demand patterns, environmental factors, and infrastructure health across all network domains – including space, terrestrial, user terminal, and landing stations – to route data along the most efficient and reliable path. By applying learning methods that utilize real-time feedback, the constellation becomes smarter over time, making faster decisions while simultaneously reducing computing resource requirements.
This orchestration is both predictive and reactive, capable of optimizing performance in real time and rerouting traffic if there are ever any issues at a specific landing station or satellite.
Secure resiliency: a wrapper across all systems
Resiliency demands robust cybersecurity measures. Telesat takes a multi-layered, end-to-end approach to security, recognizing that threats can emerge across any part of the network architecture.
This approach is grounded in a three-step framework.
- Standards compliance – the system has been developed using globally recognized security frameworks such as NIST 800-53, which outlines control implementation and risk management, and IA-PRE and CPCSC providing defence-grade security features that meet the heightened requirements of government customers.
- Secure communications – customer encrypted traffic travels through the Telesat Lightspeed network with no need to touch third-party ground infrastructure between source and destination. Users can also opt to bypass commercial infrastructure entirely and land data at their private landing station.
- Cybersecurity operations – strong security demands strong execution, using tools such as endpoint detection and response (EDR) systems and assessing Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVEs), backed by 24/7/365 cybersecurity monitoring and live Network Operations Center support.
Strong cybersecurity is just a part of overall cyber resilience. Procedures and capabilities must be in place to address threats that could compromise service delivery. True resiliency is when a network can maintain operations and recover rapidly in the event of a compromise.
Resiliency is a core pillar for mission-critical connectivity
In the new era of satellite connectivity, resiliency is a foundational requirement. The coverage and latency advantages of LEO have been well-established. However, that won’t be sufficient for mission-critical connectivity applications unless it can be securely delivered with guaranteed performance and service availability.
Telesat has designed a virtual Carrier Ethernet network in space that can deliver enterprise-class connectivity to any location on Earth. By building in redundancy, diversity, security, and intelligence at every layer, we are delivering a next-generation LEO network with resiliency our customers can trust – not just for today’s challenges, but for tomorrow’s most critical missions.
