Overview
- MDA Space and Hanwha Systems signed a memorandum of understanding on Jan. 26 to explore collaboration on Korea’s K-LEO defense constellation using MDA’s AURORA software-defined satellites.
- The effort is at an exploratory stage focused on technical assessments, with no binding procurement or deployment contracts announced.
- Hanwha is collaborating with Telesat on a sovereign connectivity program that includes potential user terminals compatible with both K-LEO and the Telesat Lightspeed LEO network, which is slated to begin initial services next year.
- These industry steps follow a Canada–South Korea government letter of intent to pursue cooperation on next-generation LEO communications and maritime platforms.
- Hanwha and Telesat are also working together on Canada’s Patrol Submarine Project, with Hanwha planning to include multi-year Lightspeed services in its industrial and economic benefits proposal.