Canadian Startup Kepler Launches 10 Satellites in Push for Space Telecom

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(Bloomberg) — Canadian startup Kepler Communications Inc. launched 10 new low-Earth-orbit satellites via SpaceX, the latest step in its buildout of a network for fast telecommunications services from space. 

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Kepler’s satellites, each weighing about 300 kilograms (660 pounds), were deployed from a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket that took off from California’s Vandenberg Space Force Base early Sunday morning. 

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The launch is a significant milestone for Kepler, which has raised $200 million since it was founded a decade ago. The company, based in Toronto, is developing an optical relay network for real-time communications from space. 

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These satellites will be used for Earth observation, defense and communications. They’ll function as “orbital data centers” that can store terabytes of information and run AI workloads in space, Mina Mitry, Kepler’s chief executive officer, said in an interview. 

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The satellites use lasers to transmit information, bringing space communications up from the “dial-up speeds” of older technologies, according to Mitry. 

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Commercial operational satellites used to be primarily the domain of governments and militaries, but companies like Maxar Technologies, Planet Labs and Kepler are now in the field, providing access to high-resolution Earth observation data and high-speed communications.

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“Gone are the days of space being dominated or controlled by these trillionaire entities,” Mitry said. “We’re seeing this new proliferation of commercial activity that’s taking place.”

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The satellite launch comes at a time when many governments are doubling down on spending on defense and intelligence.

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In its most recent budget, the Canadian government allocated C$81.8 billion ($58.8 billion) over five years to increase its defense capabilities. The government is expanding its space ambitions too, committing almost C$183 million over three years to improve Canada’s ability to launch space missions from its own soil.

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Kepler is cashing in on the trend. In December, the Canadian Space Agency contracted the firm to work on a “concept study” for next-generation Earth observation satellite systems.

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In October 2024, the European Space Agency selected the startup to help develop its optical laser network.

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Kepler, named for the German astronomer and mathematician, will be looking for new capital to continue to scale up the business, Mitry said. But for now, Kepler’s top priority is delivering the real-time data customers want, he added. To that end, Kepler plans to send 10 more satellites into orbit in 2028.

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