Toronto startup Kepler to launch satellites on SpaceX rocket to create space-based data centres

Kepler Communications Inc. will load its satellites on a Space Exploration Technologies Corp. Falcon 9 rocket that will launch from California’s Vandenberg Space Force Base early Sunday. Photo by Miguel J. Rodriguez Carrillo/Getty Images filesArticle contentA Toronto-based space telecommunications company is sending 10 of its low Earth orbit (LEO) optical satellites into space on Sunday, marking the first time that commercially operational optical satellites have been blasted into orbit.Sign In or Create an AccountEmail AddressContinueor View more offersArticle contentKepler Communications Inc., which provides internet connectivity in space, will load its 300-kilogram satellites on a Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX) Falcon 9 rocket that will launch from California’s Vandenberg Space Force Base early Sunday.Article contentWe apologize, but this video has failed to load.Try refreshing your browser, ortap here to see other videos from our team.We apologize, but this video has failed to load.Try refreshing your browser, ortap here to see other videos from our team.Play VideoArticle contentArticle contentOnce operational, Kepler’s network of satellites will facilitate real-time data relay and streaming for defence applications, earth observation and commercial and country space missions. It will also offer on-orbit computing, which lets operators process and store data and run artificial intelligence workloads in space. Its satellites are equipped with graphics processing units (GPUs) that can operate in orbit and include terabytes of storage.Article contentTop StoriesGet the latest headlines, breaking news and columns.There was an error, please provide a valid email address.Sign UpBy signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.Thanks for signing up!A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.The next issue of Top Stories will soon be in your inbox.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try againInterested in more newsletters? Browse here.Article contentThe company aims to send 10 more optical satellites to space in 2028.Article contentKepler’s satellite launch comes as startups such as Kepler, companies such as SpaceX and Amazon Leo, a subsidiary of Amazon.com Inc., and traditional aerospace businesses like Lockheed Martin Corp. jostle for market share in satellite internet services at the same time governments are ramping up their defence spending, with space viewed as a critical component of military communications and national security.Article contentCanada has a chance to grow its space economy fourfold to $21 billion by 2035, according to a November 2025 Royal Bank of Canada report, with the global space market set to triple to US$1.8 trillion over the same period.Article contentArticle contentCanada has outlined its own space and defence ambitions in recent months. Mark Carney‘s government has allocated nearly $183 million over three years to develop the ability to launch space missions from home to reduce reliance on foreign launch providers. The initiative falls under the country’s new Defence Industrial Strategy.Article contentRead More Canada has problems: Here are the tech startups trying to tackle them that are worth watching Canadian quantum computing company raises $180 million from investors including RBC, Telus Article contentOttawa has also committed $528.5 million for European Space Agency (ESA) programs designed to help Canadian companies form deeper ties with space and defence projects in Europe.Article contentKepler has inked contracts with the Canadian and European space agencies. Last December, the Canadian Space Agency contracted Kepler to develop a concept study for Canada’s next-generation earth observation satellite system. In October 2024, the ESA picked the startup to help it develop its optical laser network.Article contentKepler chief executive Mina Mitry co-founded the company in 2015 along with three of his former University of Toronto engineering classmates. The startup has raised more than US$200 million in funding so far and is searching for additional funds.Article content• Email: ylau@postmedia.com Article contentTrending Bank of Canada sees senior departures as Carney pushes cuts Work December jobs report likely kills chances of Bank of Canada rate hike this year, economists say Economy Posthaste: How the upbeat outlook for the Canadian dollar likely just got trashed News Why HELOCs make a heck of a lot of sense in 2026 Mortgages A love letter to those who don’t believe in RRSPs Personal Finance Share this article in your social networkCommentsYou must be logged in to join the discussion or read more comments.Create an AccountSign in Join the Conversation Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion. Please keep comments relevant and respectful. Comments may take up to an hour to appear on the site. You will receive an email if there is a reply to your comment, an update to a thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information. Bank of Canada sees senior departures as Carney pushes cuts Work December jobs report likely kills chances of Bank of Canada rate hike this year, economists say Economy Posthaste: How the upbeat outlook for the Canadian dollar likely just got trashed News Why HELOCs make a heck of a lot of sense in 2026 Mortgages A love letter to those who don’t believe in RRSPs Personal Finance