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., Sept. 01, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- 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.

About Cailabs

Cailabs is an industrial laser communications company building the ground systems that make optical links deployable at scale. Founded in 2013, with operations in France and the United States, Cailabs designs, manufactures and deploys optical communication systems for space-to-ground and ground-to-ground links.

Cailabs focuses on turning laser communications into operational infrastructure. Its systems are engineered for field deployment, integration into existing networks, remote operation and scalable rollouts, supporting customers in space, defense and critical network environments. By combining product design, manufacturing capability and operational support, Cailabs helps move optical communications from controlled demonstrations to real-world missions.

Cailabs’ solutions are powered by proprietary beam-shaping and atmospheric turbulence mitigation technologies, enabling robust high-capacity optical links through the atmosphere. Beyond laser communications, Cailabs applies the same light-shaping expertise to industrial laser processing and fiber networks, where performance, reliability and deployability are also critical.

About Telesat Government Solutions

Telesat U.S. Services, LLC (dba Telesat Government Solutions) is a wholly owned, U.S.-incorporated subsidiary of leading satellite operator Telesat Corporation. Telesat Government Solutions provides reliable and secure global communications networks that the U.S. Government and allies require and the information superiority and mission assurance they demand. Telesat Government Solutions offers resilient infrastructure and real-time operations management, leveraging the most cutting-edge satellite technologies.

About Telesat

Telesat Corporation (Nasdaq and TSX: TSAT) (“Telesat”) is a global satellite operator and leader in advanced satellite communications, redefining broadband connectivity through its Telesat Lightspeed low Earth orbit (LEO) network.

Designed from inception for interoperability with enterprise and government applications, Telesat Lightspeed delivers secure, resilient, high-performance broadband connectivity with fibre-like speeds. Its advanced, software-defined architecture operates in both commercial and military Ka-band spectrum, enabling mission-critical communications with enhanced security and protection against evolving threats. Purpose-built to meet the most demanding requirements, Telesat Lightspeed provides telecom, enterprise, aviation, maritime and defense customers with unprecedented flexibility and control to dynamically manage their own services and deliver differentiated, end-to-end connectivity solutions worldwide.

With nearly 60 years of innovation, engineering excellence and a collaborative approach to customer success, Telesat is uniquely positioned to deliver secure, scalable and future-ready connectivity solutions that help customers solve their most complex communications challenges and achieve mission success. For updates on Telesat, follow us on LinkedIn, X, or visit www.telesat.com

Media Contact
Monique Scotti
pr@telesat.com

Telesat Forward-Looking Statements Safe Harbor

This news release contains statements that are not based on historical fact and are “forward-looking statements’’ and “forward looking information” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and Canadian securities laws. When used herein, statements which are not historical in nature, or which contain the words “anticipate,” “believe,” “potential,” “target,” “will,” or similar expressions, are forward-looking statements. In addition, Telesat or its representatives have made or may make forward-looking statements, provide forward looking information, orally or in writing, which may be included in, but are not limited to, various filings made from time to time with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and Canadian securities regulatory authorities, and news releases or oral statements made with the approval of an authorized executive officer of Telesat.  All statements made in this news release are made only as of the date set forth at the beginning of this news release. Telesat undertakes no obligation to update the statements made in this news release whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.

These forward-looking statements and this forward looking information are not guarantees of future performance, are based on Telesat’s current expectations, and are subject to a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties assumptions, and other factors, some of which are beyond Telesat’s control, are difficult to predict, and could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed, forecasted or implied in the forward-looking statements and forward looking information.

Forward-looking statements and forward-looking information contained in this news release include, among other things, statements regarding the contemplated collaboration between Telesat Government Solutions and Cailabs, the potential interoperability or integration of their respective technologies, anticipated studies, demonstrations and government opportunities, the potential capabilities or benefits of any combined solution, and the timing, scope or success of any future activities arising from the collaboration agreement.

Known risks, uncertainties, and assumptions include, but are not limited to: risks associated with financial factors, including swings in the global financial markets, access to capital to construct our LEO satellite constellation, the ability to refinance Telesat GEO Inc.’s debt, the outcome of litigation related to Telesat GEO Inc.’s debt and the 62% equity distribution, volatility of securities values in an industry sector where values may be influenced by economic and other factors beyond Telesat’s control, inflation, rising or prolonged elevated interest rates, fluctuations in foreign exchange rates, and tariffs; risks associated with operating satellites and providing satellite services, including satellite construction or launch delays, launch failures, in-orbit failures, impaired satellite performance or dependence on large customers; the ability to deploy successfully an advanced global LEO satellite constellation and the timing of any such deployment; Telesat’s ability to meet the conditions for advance of the loans under the funding agreements for the constellation; technological hurdles, including Telesat’s and Telesat’s contractors’ development and deployment of the new technologies required to complete the constellation in time to meet Telesat’s schedule, or at all; the availability of services and components from Telesat’s and Telesat’s contractors’ supply chains; competition, including with other LEO systems, deployed and yet to be deployed; risks associated with domestic and foreign government regulation, including government restrictions and regulations, access to sufficient orbital spectrum to be able to deliver services effectively and access to sufficient geographic markets in which to sell those services; Telesat’s ability to develop significant commercial and operational capabilities; and the ability to expand Telesat’s existing satellite utilization. The foregoing list of important factors is not exhaustive. Investors should review the other risk factors discussed in our filings, including Telesat Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 20-F, Quarterly Reports on Form 6-K and other filings made with the SEC and the Canadian securities regulatory authorities at the System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval+ (“SEDAR+”), and may be accessed on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov and SEDAR+’s website at www.sedarplus.ca.