Global aerospace manufacturer Thales Alenia Space has signed a phase B contract with LeoSat Enterprises to develop a low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellation.

Once completed, the constellation will provide very-high-speed broadband, low latency and secure global connectivity.

The newly signed deal will focus on the detailed definition of the overall system architecture and performance specifications, which includes both ground and space segments of the LeoSat constellation.  

"The phase B contract reflects both the quality of our design work and excellent teamwork between Thales Alenia Space and LeoSat throughout the feasibility phase."

The LeoSat constellation will include 78 to 108 high-power Ka-band satellites in low Earth orbit and provide global service for big corporations and government agencies.

The contract will also offer the structure required to establish an optimised organisation for production and deployment of the satellite constellation.

Thales Alenia Space CEO Jean-Loïc Galle said: "The phase B contract reflects both the quality of our design work and excellent teamwork between Thales Alenia Space and LeoSat throughout the feasibility phase.

"We will be working together to incorporate innovative solutions, based on our proven expertise and long experience in the design, development and production of satellite system for LEO constellations.

“This latest phase will finalise the manufacturing plan, paving the way for the production and deployment of the entire constellation."

Featuring optical inter-satellite links, gigabit class, onboard processors, flexible steerable antennas, and RF (radio-frequency) over PCB (printed circuit boards), the LeoSat satellites will use an improved EliteBus™ platform.

These features will enable the constellation to provide higher payload power and mass while reducing launch cost.

Thales Alenia Space recently won a contract to provide the SES-17 powerful high-throughput satellite to operator SES.