Telesat CEO Says No Alternative to SpaceX as Falcon 9 Bookings Close Beyond 2028

SpaceX has reportedly stopped accepting new Falcon 9 launch bookings beyond 2028, raising questions about Canada’s plans to develop its own satellite internet capabilities through Telesat, which relies on SpaceX to launch its next-generation constellation.

According to a report by The Logic, SpaceX is no longer taking new Falcon 9 bookings beyond 2028 as it prepares to transition to its larger Starship rocket. However, SpaceX has not publicly confirmed a retirement date for Falcon 9.

The development comes as the Canadian government has been pushing to reduce its reliance on Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite internet service, with Canadian-owned Telesat emerging as a key part of that strategy.

Prime Minister Mark Carney has spoken about reducing Canada’s dependence on Starlink, highlighting the government’s interest in developing domestic alternatives for satellite connectivity.

However, there is an important distinction between providing satellite internet service and launching satellites into orbit. While Telesat is Canadian-owned, it still depends on SpaceX to get its Lightspeed constellation into space.

Telesat has secured launch arrangements for its planned 225-satellite Lightspeed constellation, with its first Falcon 9 launch currently scheduled for December 2026.

During an August 2026 investor call, Telesat CEO Dan Goldberg confirmed the expanded constellation was fully funded, with only one additional Falcon 9 launch agreement awaiting finalization.

Goldberg also explained that there are currently no viable alternatives to SpaceX, either in Canada or internationally, capable of meeting Telesat’s launch requirements at a competitive price.

“For us to be competitive, all of our cost inputs need to be world-class competitive,” Goldberg said.

Telesat expects to spend approximately 20 per cent of its Lightspeed budget on launch services, representing about US$1 billion (C$1.40 billion).

Ottawa has committed a $2.14-billion loan to Telesat Lightspeed and secured satellite capacity for internet providers serving rural and remote communities. Northwestel plans to use that capacity to connect communities across Nunavut.

Carney has also acknowledged that competing satellite networks do not yet match Starlink’s capabilities, suggesting Canada may need partnerships with European countries and South Korea to reduce its dependence on the service, particularly for defence communications.

However, the government’s plans to move away from Starlink do not extend to avoiding SpaceX entirely. Telesat’s Lightspeed network still depends on Falcon 9 rockets to get its satellites into orbit.

Canada is also investing $200 million in Spaceport Nova Scotia to establish domestic launch capabilities, but the facility is not yet equipped to handle the large-scale deployments required by Telesat.

Maritime Launch Services CEO Stephen Matier said the proposed spaceport could eventually support smaller satellite replacement missions, rather than the large batches SpaceX can launch.

“We could start construction tomorrow. I just need a rocket to put there,” Matier said.

Industry Minister Melanie Joly has said she expects future Telesat and MDA satellites to launch from Nova Scotia, although Canada Rocket Company CEO Hugh Kolias estimates developing a new orbital rocket takes six to eight years and approximately $1 billion.

Under its original 2023 agreement, Telesat contracted 14 Falcon 9 launches, each capable of carrying up to 18 satellites, with global Lightspeed service still targeted for the first quarter of 2028.

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