Completion of SFL's Telesat LEO 3 satellite Set to Advance Earth Observation

Aerospace and Defense Review | Monday, July 31, 2023

Space Flight Laboratory (SFL) reveals the completion of the Telesat LEO 3 microsatellite, which was transported from Toronto to New Zealand for integration with the Rocket Lab Electron launch vehicle.

FREMONT, CA: "SFL is pleased to have been chosen by Telesat to meet the challenge of building a cost-effective microsatellite with a robust design to achieve its high-bandwidth demonstration goals in Telesat's target orbit," said SFL Director Dr. Robert E. Zee. "This continues SFL's long-standing history of enabling business success through smaller satellites developed at low cost."

Space Flight Laboratory (SFL), one of the leading developers of microspace missions, has confirmed the completion of the Telesat LEO 3 demonstration microsatellite. The spacecraft has been shipped from SFL's integration facility in Toronto to New Zealand's Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1.

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Upon arrival, LEO 3 will undergo inspection to ensure its safe shipment before being integrated into the Rocket Lab Electron launch vehicle. The launch is currently scheduled for the third quarter of 2023. Once deployed in orbit, LEO 3 will provide continuity for customer and ecosystem vendor testing campaigns following the decommissioning of Telesat's Phase 1 LEO satellite.

Telesat, based in Ottawa, Ontario, is a prominent global satellite operator known for its innovation. They chose SFL to build the LEO 3 satellite on an accelerated timeline. Weighing 30 kg and measuring 30x30x45 cm, the satellite is based on SFL's highly adaptable DEFIANT microsatellite platform. SFL has a strong track record, with over 65 operational successes spanning 25 years and totaling 250 cumulative years in orbit. Additionally, they have 27 satellites under development or awaiting launch. The DEFIANT satellites currently in orbit serve diverse applications, including Earth observation, atmospheric monitoring, communication, technology demonstration, and scientific research in various fields such as space astronomy and solar physics.

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