Bird Satellite Communications is planning to launch two communications satellites to end the Canadian monopoly maintained by BCE, a subsidiary of Telesat Canada.
The $641 million system will involve satellite launches in 2003 and 2005. A government decision on the plan is expected by July.
Bird is funded by National Bank Capital Partners and former executives of Canadian Satellite Communications. The USA's Loral Space and Communications will be a minority partner, offering back-up satellite capacity.
The Canadian Space Agency and McDonald Dettwiler has begun a feasibility study for a Radarsat 3 remote-sensing satellite. Radarsat 1 is in orbit and MDA is building Radarsat 2 for launch in 2003. Meanwhile, Orbital Sciences is looking at options for its remaining majority stake in MDA.Source: Flight International
