Viasat has confirmed the successful launch and initial signal acquisition of the ViaSat-3 Flight 3 (F3) satellite. The spacecraft will provide connectivity over the Asia Pacific.
The satellite lifted off aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket at the Kennedy Space Center. It successfully separated from the launch vehicle’s upper stage just under five hours after liftoff, and initial signals were acquired minutes later, confirming that the satellite is in orbit and ready for the next phase of operations.
The satellite’s flexible bandwidth deployment capabilities are a significant differentiator for commercial and defense customers.
“As we celebrate the successful launch of ViaSat-3 F3, it is important to once again recognize this achievement as a testament to the dedication and expertise of hundreds of Viasat team members and the close collaboration with our partners,” said Mark Dankberg, president and CEO of Viasat.
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“ViaSat-3 F3 will bring greater resiliency to government and commercial mobility users, leveraging powerful beamforming capabilities to rapidly deliver bandwidth in and around commercial, enterprise, geopolitical and other critical hotspots. As we look to the future, our ViaSat-3 satellites will significantly scale the overall performance of our network, strengthening our ability to deliver capacity for key growth initiatives globally.”
Following its successful launch, the satellite will now deploy its solar panels and begin sailing to its final geostationary orbital location. ViaSat-3 F3 will then undergo final deployments, including its reflectors, before undergoing in-orbit testing and network integration, which is critical for effective operations and services. ViaSat-3 F3 is currently planned to enter service in late summer.
