Fact-checked by Grok 2 weeks ago

ViaSat-3

ViaSat-3 is a constellation of three ultra-high-capacity Ka-band geostationary satellites developed by Viasat, Inc., designed to deliver high-throughput broadband connectivity for residential, enterprise, aviation, maritime, and government applications across significant portions of the globe.^[1] Each satellite in the constellation is engineered to provide more than 1 terabit per second (Tbps) of capacity, more than doubling Viasat's existing satellite fleet bandwidth upon full deployment.^[2] The first satellite, ViaSat-3 F1, was launched on May 1, 2023, aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket from Kennedy Space Center and entered commercial service in mid-2024 after overcoming an initial antenna deployment anomaly that limited its initial capacity to approximately 10% of design specifications; it currently provides coverage over the Americas, focusing on North America to support in-flight Wi-Fi and other services.^[1]^[3] ViaSat-3 F2, targeted for the Americas to enhance regional capacity, was launched on November 13, 2025, aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket from Cape Canaveral, with service entry anticipated in early 2026.^[2]^[4] The third satellite, ViaSat-3 F3, is planned for launch in 2026 to cover the Asia-Pacific region, completing the constellation's core coverage architecture.^[1] A defining feature of the ViaSat-3 satellites is their dynamic resource allocation system, which enables real-time shifting of bandwidth across more than 1,000 steerable spot beams to address fluctuating demand in coverage areas, unlike traditional fixed-beam satellites.^[5] Built by Boeing on the 702X platform, the satellites operate at approximately 35,786 kilometers (22,236 miles) above the equator, integrating with Viasat's multi-orbit, multi-band network—including L-band and acquired Inmarsat Global Xpress assets—to extend reliable, high-speed internet to underserved and mobile users worldwide.^[1]^[6]

Overview

Background and Objectives

Viasat developed the ViaSat-3 program to extend its high-throughput satellite (HTS) broadband capabilities globally, building upon the success of ViaSat-2 by targeting underserved rural, remote, and mobile regions with internet speeds comparable to fiber-optic services.^[1] The initiative addresses the growing demand for reliable, high-speed connectivity in areas lacking terrestrial infrastructure, enabling applications such as video streaming, remote work, and real-time data access for consumers and enterprises.^[1] Announced in February 2016, the ViaSat-3 program encompasses a constellation of three geostationary Ka-band satellites, each engineered to deliver over 1 terabit per second (Tbps) of network capacity—surpassing the combined throughput of all operational commercial satellites at the time.^[7] This ambitious scale aims to dramatically increase available bandwidth, supporting Viasat's expansion into new markets while leveraging advanced phased-array antennas and digital processing for efficient spectrum use.^[1] The primary objectives of ViaSat-3 include providing download speeds exceeding 100 Mbps to residential, business, and mobile users, thereby facilitating seamless access to broadband services in diverse environments.^[8] It supports specialized applications such as in-flight connectivity, maritime communications, and government operations, with software-defined payloads enabling dynamic capacity allocation to optimize performance based on real-time demand.^[1] These features allow the system to reconfigure beams and resources flexibly, enhancing efficiency for high-usage scenarios.^[9] Strategically, ViaSat-3 positions Viasat to compete with low-Earth orbit (LEO) constellations like Starlink and OneWeb by offering competitive pricing and capacity through its geostationary architecture, while integrating with Viasat's existing satellite network for comprehensive global coverage across multiple orbits.^[10] This hybrid approach ensures end-to-end connectivity, bridging gaps in traditional GEO limitations and supporting Viasat's goal of ubiquitous, resilient broadband delivery.^[1] As of November 2025, the first two satellites have been launched to serve the Americas, with the third satellite for the Asia-Pacific region scheduled for launch in 2026.^[4]

Technical Specifications

The ViaSat-3 satellites operate in the Ka-band frequency range, enabling high-throughput communications through advanced signal processing and spectrum efficiency.^[1] They utilize large reflector antennas and advanced digital payload processing that support electronic beamforming, allowing for the dynamic formation and steering of spot beams to optimize coverage and capacity allocation in response to varying user demands.^[11] This architecture facilitates over 1,000 steerable spot beams per satellite, which can be reconfigured in real time to shift bandwidth across the coverage area.^[12] The payload features a software-defined radio design, which permits on-board reconfiguration to adapt to fluctuating traffic patterns without hardware modifications, enhancing flexibility for broadband services.^[13] Each satellite achieves a total throughput exceeding 1 terabit per second (Tbps), distributed across these numerous spot beams to support high-capacity data delivery for applications such as internet connectivity and video streaming.^[14] This performance is enabled by Viasat's custom payload integrated with advanced digital processing for efficient spectrum use.^[6] The satellites are built on Boeing's 702MP+ spacecraft bus, an all-electric platform optimized for geostationary missions with enhanced structural support for heavy payloads.^[15] Propulsion is provided by xenon ion thrusters, which handle orbit raising, station-keeping, and deorbiting while minimizing fuel consumption compared to chemical systems. Solar arrays generate more than 25 kW of power at end-of-life, powering the high-demand electronics through deployable panels spanning up to 44 meters when extended.^[16]^[14] Components are radiation-hardened to withstand the GEO radiation environment, ensuring reliable operation.^[17] Positioned in geostationary orbit at an altitude of 35,786 km, each ViaSat-3 satellite provides coverage to approximately one-third of Earth's surface, aligned with regional footprints for the Americas (with two satellites for enhanced capacity) and Asia-Pacific.^[1] The launch mass is around 6,400 kg.^[18] The design supports a service life of 15 years or more, backed by robust thermal and power systems for long-term GEO deployment.^[17]

Development

Announcement and Contracts

Viasat publicly announced the ViaSat-3 program on February 10, 2016, during coverage leading into the Satellite 2016 conference, outlining a planned constellation of three geostationary Ka-band satellites to deliver ultra-high-capacity broadband services globally, with the first satellite targeted for launch in 2019 covering the Americas, followed by others for Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia-Pacific region.^[7] The announcement highlighted the constellation's potential to exceed the combined capacity of all existing geostationary satellites at the time, emphasizing Viasat's strategy to expand its high-throughput satellite network.^[19] In July 2016, Viasat selected Boeing as the prime contractor to provide the satellite buses for the first two ViaSat-3 spacecraft—ViaSat-3 Americas (F1) and ViaSat-3 EMEA (F2)—with Viasat responsible for designing and integrating the communications payloads.^[18] The contract was part of Viasat's broader multi-billion-dollar investment in the program, though specific values for the Boeing agreement remained undisclosed; Boeing's role focused on the structural and propulsion elements to support the satellites' high-power demands.^[20] Launch contracts evolved through multiple providers to align with program timelines and vehicle availability. In February 2016, Viasat signed an initial agreement with Arianespace for an Ariane 5 ECA rocket to deploy one ViaSat-3 satellite into geostationary transfer orbit, marking a shift from an earlier consideration of SpaceX's Falcon Heavy.^[19] By October 2018, Viasat awarded SpaceX a contract for the Falcon Heavy to launch ViaSat-3 Americas (F1), followed by a parallel agreement with United Launch Alliance (ULA) for an Atlas V 551 to carry ViaSat-3 EMEA (F2).^[21] In June 2019, Viasat modified its original Arianespace contract to assign the Ariane 6 (in a four-booster configuration) for ViaSat-3 APAC (F3), positioning it as the first commercial customer for the new launcher, though subsequent delays in Ariane 6 development prompted Viasat to move the ViaSat-3 F3 launch to an alternative provider in April 2023, with the new launch vehicle to be determined as of November 2025.^[22] For the ground segment, Viasat established key partnerships to enable compatible infrastructure. On November 6, 2017, Viasat entered a €68 million public-private partnership with the European Space Agency (ESA) to develop and productize advanced components for the ViaSat-3 system, including fixed and mobile user terminals such as fully electronic phased-array antennas for residential broadband, in-flight connectivity, and maritime applications.^[23] This collaboration aimed to enhance European innovation in satellite ground systems while ensuring interoperability across the constellation's high-capacity network. The ViaSat-3 program was primarily self-funded by Viasat, drawing from operational revenues and capital raises. In fiscal 2017, the company secured approximately $500 million in net proceeds from an equity offering specifically to support initial development and construction phases of the satellites and associated infrastructure.^[24] To secure operational rights, Viasat submitted regulatory filings to the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for market access in Ka-band frequencies (17.8-18.6 GHz, 18.8-19.3 GHz, 27.5-30.0 GHz, and 40.0-42.0 GHz) and to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) for coordination of orbital slots at 115° West, 69° East, and 107.2° East, with FCC grants issued progressively from 2017 onward to authorize the constellation's deployment and operations.^[25]

Design and Construction

The development of the ViaSat-3 satellites began with key design milestones to validate the overall architecture for delivering high-capacity Ka-band communications payloads. In December 2016, Viasat and Boeing completed the Preliminary Design Review (PDR), which confirmed that the satellite design met performance specifications for enhanced throughput and global coverage.^[6] This review marked the first major step in ensuring the satellites could support over 1 Tbps of network capacity per satellite through advanced payload processing and beam-forming capabilities.^[1] Following the PDR, the Critical Design Review (CDR) was finalized in September 2017, allowing full-scale construction to proceed.^[26] The CDR process addressed engineering challenges inherent to high-power Ka-band systems, including the integration of flexible digital payloads for dynamic beam reconfiguration to optimize bandwidth allocation.^[27] Manufacturing of the ViaSat-3 satellites occurred at Boeing's satellite factory in El Segundo, California, where the all-electric satellite bus based on the 702X platform was assembled.^[28] Viasat handled the design and production of the communications payload, including the digital payload processor, at its facility in Tempe, Arizona, before integration with the Boeing bus to enable agile beam management across coverage areas.^[27] This collaborative approach ensured the satellites' structural integrity and operational efficiency for geostationary orbit deployment. Testing phases for the satellites involved rigorous environmental simulations to replicate launch and space conditions. For ViaSat-3 Americas (F1), mechanical environmental testing—including vibration, acoustic, and thermal vacuum trials—was completed in 2022 at Boeing's El Segundo facility, qualifying the spacecraft for launch.^[29] Similar processes were conducted for ViaSat-3 EMEA (F2), with full assembly, integration, and testing finalized by September 2025 prior to shipment to Cape Canaveral.^[30] As of November 2025, ViaSat-3 APAC (F3) remains in the assembly, integration, and test phase at Boeing and is on track for launch in 2026.^[30]^[1] Key innovations in the ViaSat-3 design include an all-electric propulsion system on the Boeing 702X platform, which reduces launch mass by eliminating chemical propellants and enables efficient station-keeping over the satellites' 15-year lifespan.^[14] Additionally, the payloads incorporate advanced forward error correction (FEC) coding tailored for Ka-band operations, enhancing spectral efficiency and data throughput in high-demand environments.^[31] The program faced several delays during development. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted supply chains and workforce availability, shifting the ViaSat-3 Americas launch from an initial 2021 target to May 2023.^[32] For ViaSat-3 EMEA, the launch was delayed to 2025 to implement and test corrective actions addressing antenna deployment issues similar to those experienced on F1.^[33]

Satellite Constellation

ViaSat-3 Americas (F1)

The ViaSat-3 Americas, also designated as ViaSat-3 Flight 1 (VS-3 F1), is the inaugural satellite in Viasat's ultra-high-capacity Ka-band constellation, positioned in geostationary orbit at 88.9° West longitude to serve the Americas region.^[34]^[35] This orbital slot enables comprehensive coverage across North America, Central America, South America, and Mexico, targeting high-demand areas for broadband connectivity.^[36] The satellite was designed with over 1 terabit per second (Tbps) of total throughput capacity allocated to its Americas-focused beams, enabling support for diverse applications including residential broadband, enterprise networking, and in-flight connectivity for aviation.^[34]^[37] However, an on-orbit anomaly shortly after deployment reduced its effective capacity to approximately 10% of the planned level, prompting Viasat to prioritize aviation and government services while deferring broader residential rollout.^[38]^[39] Boeing completed manufacturing of the VS-3 F1 satellite at its El Segundo facility and delivered the platform to Viasat on March 20, 2023, following integration and initial testing; it was then shipped via air to Florida's Space Coast for final pre-launch preparations.^[15] The spacecraft integrates seamlessly with Viasat's established Ka-band ground infrastructure, including existing gateway stations, to facilitate dynamic beam allocation and traffic management across the network.^[1] As of November 2025, VS-3 F1 remains fully operational, having entered commercial service in August 2024 for aviation customers over North America and expanded to government users, such as the U.S. Marine Corps, by October 2024; it continues to contribute incremental capacity to Viasat's overall network expansion despite the capacity limitations.^[37]^[3]^[2]

ViaSat-3 Americas (F2)

ViaSat-3 Americas, designated as Flight 2 (F2) in the constellation, is positioned in the geostationary orbital slot at 79° West longitude to serve the Americas region and enhance capacity following the limitations of F1.^[1]^[40] This placement enables targeted high-throughput Ka-band connectivity across North America, Central America, South America, and Mexico.^[1] The satellite boasts a capacity exceeding 1 terabit per second (Tbps), supporting diverse applications including residential broadband, enterprise networking, aviation, and maritime services in the Americas.^[2] This design allows dynamic allocation of bandwidth to meet fluctuating demands while integrating with Viasat's broader multi-orbit network.^[1] Manufacturing of ViaSat-3 Americas F2 was finalized in 2024 at Boeing's facilities, following integration of its advanced 702X platform and payload elements, before the satellite was shipped to Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in September 2025 for final processing and integration with the launch vehicle.^[41] The shared development process with the other ViaSat-3 satellites emphasized modular design for efficient production.^[42] As of November 2025, ViaSat-3 Americas F2 was successfully launched on November 13, 2025, aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket from Cape Canaveral following a scrub of the initial attempt on November 5 due to a ground system issue; initial signals have been acquired, and the satellite is undergoing orbit raising, deployments, and in-orbit testing, with service entry anticipated in early 2026.^[4]^[43]

ViaSat-3 APAC (F3)

ViaSat-3 APAC, also designated as F3, serves as the third satellite in Viasat's ultra-high-capacity Ka-band constellation, specifically engineered to extend broadband internet access across the Asia-Pacific region, encompassing Asia, Pacific islands, Australia, and New Zealand. Positioned in geostationary orbit over this area, it aims to address connectivity gaps in densely populated urban centers and isolated locations alike.^[1] The satellite boasts a throughput capacity exceeding 1 Tbps, tailored to fuel expansion in rapidly developing markets such as India and Southeast Asia, where surging demand for data-intensive services is evident. This substantial bandwidth will also facilitate resilient connectivity for disaster response efforts, allowing dynamic resource allocation to support emergency communications during regional crises like typhoons or earthquakes.^[1]^[20]^[44] Assembly of ViaSat-3 F3 commenced in 2023 at Boeing's facilities, with full integration and testing projected to conclude in 2026 ahead of its operational deployment. Among its distinctive capabilities, the satellite incorporates targeted spot beams to reach remote Pacific islands, ensuring reliable service in underserved archipelagos, while enabling seamless integration with hybrid L-band and Ka-band networks to bolster in-flight connectivity for aviation routes spanning Asia.^[1]^[45] As of November 2025, ViaSat-3 F3 remains in advanced production, progressing through critical assembly, integration, and environmental testing phases to validate its performance prior to launch.^[46]

Launches

Launch of ViaSat-3 Americas

The ViaSat-3 Americas satellite launched on April 30, 2023, at 8:26 p.m. EDT from Launch Complex 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket.^[47] This marked a change from the original plan under a 2016 contract with Arianespace for an Ariane 5 launch vehicle; in 2018, Viasat contracted SpaceX's Falcon Heavy to better align with schedule and performance needs. The 2019 modification to Ariane 6 applied to subsequent satellites.^[48]^[49] The mission followed a direct geostationary orbit insertion profile, with the payload fairing separating approximately 4 minutes and 51 seconds after liftoff to expose the satellite stack.^[50] The ViaSat-3 Americas satellite separated from the upper stage 4 hours and 32 minutes into the flight, followed by the deployment of two smaller rideshare payloads: Astranis's Arcturus MicroGEO satellite and Gravity Space's GS-1 demonstrator.^[34] Telemetry signals from the satellite were acquired 15 minutes after separation via a ground station in South Korea, confirming initial health and attitude control.^[34] The Falcon Heavy vehicle consisted of a triple-core configuration powered by 27 Merlin 1D engines across its boosters and central core, generating over 5 million pounds of thrust at liftoff.^[51] This flight was expendable, with the side boosters—previously flown on missions including Arabsat-6A and STP-2—impacting the Atlantic Ocean without recovery attempts to maximize performance for the heavy GEO payload.^[51] The central core also expended after upper stage engine cutoff, contributing to the mission's success without reported anomalies during ascent or separation.^[47] Following separation, the satellite's solar arrays deployed successfully in the days after launch, enabling power generation for subsequent maneuvers.^[52] Initial orbit-raising operations began using the satellite's onboard electric propulsion system, positioning it toward its operational slot at 88.9° west longitude; the full drift and station-keeping process was expected to take less than three weeks.^[52] No anomalies were reported during the launch phase or immediate post-separation activities, and on-orbit checkout progressed through June 2023, validating key systems ahead of payload activation.^[34]

Launch of ViaSat-3 F2 (Americas)

The ViaSat-3 F2 satellite, targeted for coverage over the Americas, launched on November 13, 2025, at 10:04 p.m. EST (03:04 UTC on November 14) from Space Launch Complex 41 (SLC-41) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, aboard a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V 551 rocket.^[4] This followed two scrubs on November 5 and 6, 2025, attributed to a malfunctioning liquid oxygen vent valve on the Atlas booster, which required hardware replacement and verification.^[53] The 551 configuration includes five Graphite-Epoxy Motor (GEM) 63 solid rocket boosters to supplement the common core booster's RD-180 engine, which burns kerosene and liquid oxygen to generate over 2 million pounds of thrust at liftoff.^[40] The Centaur upper stage, powered by a single RL10C-1-1 engine using liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen, executed three burns to place the approximately 6.4-metric-ton satellite into a geosynchronous transfer orbit (GTO).^[54] Mission preparations advanced steadily in October 2025, with the satellite undergoing final integration and testing at the launch site before encapsulation within a 17.7-foot (5.4-meter) diameter composite payload fairing on October 28.^[55] The encapsulated payload was then mated to the Centaur stage and hoisted atop the Atlas booster, completing vertical integration by early November.^[40] Range safety clearances and weather approvals were secured following the scrubs, with the primary concerns—thick cloud layers and potential upper-level winds—resolved to support the launch.^[40] The launch window opened at 10:04 p.m. EST on November 13, with a duration of about 44 minutes.^[56] Satellite separation from the Centaur stage occurred roughly 3 hours and 32 minutes post-liftoff.^[40] Following separation, initial telemetry confirmed satellite health, with solar array deployment underway as of November 19, 2025. The spacecraft is using its electric propulsion system to transfer to geostationary orbit at 79° west longitude, with in-orbit testing expected to precede commercial service entry in early 2026.^[2]^[4]

Planned Launch of ViaSat-3 APAC

The ViaSat-3 APAC (F3) satellite is scheduled for launch in 2026, with commercial in-service expected during calendar year 2026 following a period of orbit raising and testing. This timeline reflects adjustments due to a revised launch configuration that extends the post-launch orbit-raising phase, though manufacturing and testing progress remains on track. The satellite, built by Boeing, is designed to provide over 1 Tbps of capacity focused on the Asia-Pacific region from geostationary orbit.^[1]^[57]^[38] Originally contracted for launch on an Arianespace Ariane 6 rocket from the Guiana Space Centre, the arrangement was cancelled in April 2023 amid delays in the Ariane 6 program. Viasat subsequently secured a new launch contract, though the specific vehicle and provider have not been publicly disclosed as of November 2025. Potential options include SpaceX's Falcon Heavy, which successfully launched the ViaSat-3 Americas satellite in 2023 and offers direct geostationary orbit insertion capability for payloads up to approximately 26,700 kg to GEO. The mission will deploy the 6,400 kg satellite to geostationary transfer orbit, after which onboard propulsion will maneuver it to its operational slot, with mass compatibility confirmed for heavy-lift vehicles.^[22]^[58]^[34]^[59] Preparations for the launch are advancing, with the satellite currently in the assembly, integration, and testing phase as of late 2025, and full integration scheduled after completion of key testing milestones in 2025. Coordination efforts include securing launch slots and ensuring compatibility with the selected provider. Viasat has built in contingencies, including prior experience switching providers to mitigate delays, ensuring the overall constellation timeline remains achievable despite potential schedule risks. Regulatory coordination for the orbital slot and frequencies through the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) supports the planned deployment, with filings aligned for the Asia-Pacific coverage area.^[30]^[60]

Operations

Network Capacity and Coverage

The ViaSat-3 constellation is designed to provide a total network capacity of approximately 3 terabits per second (Tbps) across its three satellites upon full deployment, enabling efficient global load balancing to meet varying demand across regions.^[61]^[62] This integrated capacity supports high-throughput broadband services by dynamically distributing traffic, ensuring resilience and scalability for applications ranging from residential internet to enterprise connectivity.^[1] Coverage is divided regionally among the satellites for optimized performance: ViaSat-3 Americas (F1) serves the Americas, spanning more than 100 countries and territories including North, Central, South America, and the Caribbean; ViaSat-3 Americas (F2) targets the Americas to enhance capacity; and ViaSat-3 APAC (F3) focuses on the Asia-Pacific region.^[36]^[63] Overlapping spot beams facilitate seamless handoff between satellites and regions, minimizing service disruptions for mobile users such as aviation and maritime vessels.^[35] Each satellite employs over 1,000 steerable spot beams operating in the Ka-band, allowing dynamic reallocation of bandwidth to high-demand areas, such as during major events or peak usage periods.^[55] This beam technology enhances spectral efficiency and supports targeted capacity surges where needed. The network relies on hundreds of ground stations (Satellite Access Nodes) worldwide, connected via fiber backhaul, to route traffic with low latency—typically under 600 milliseconds end-to-end—enabling reliable support for high-definition 4K streaming and Internet of Things (IoT) applications.^[64]^[65]^[66]

Service Deployment

The ViaSat-3 F1 satellite entered commercial service in August 2024, initially focusing on aviation applications over North America, including routes to Hawaii, despite an antenna deployment anomaly that limited its operational capacity to less than 10% of the planned throughput.^[67] In October 2024, it began delivering services to U.S. government customers, marking the first use of the ViaSat-3 network for secure communications with the U.S. Marine Corps.^[68] This phased activation allowed for incremental beam enablement, though the overall capacity ramp-up for F1 has been constrained, providing enhanced but not full-spectrum support for existing ViaSat-2 users in residential and enterprise segments.^[69] Key applications of ViaSat-3 F1 include in-flight Wi-Fi enhancements through partnerships with airlines such as JetBlue, which leverages the satellite to improve free, high-speed connectivity on its fleet via Viasat's Ka-band system.^[70] In the maritime sector, integration with Inmarsat—a Viasat company—enables NexusWave services, offering upgraded bandwidth for vessel operations through the ViaSat-3 network.^[71] Government secure communications represent another core application, with F1 supporting military users requiring resilient, high-throughput links in remote areas.^[3] Looking ahead, the ViaSat-3 constellation's full deployment includes the F2 satellite, launched on November 14, 2025, aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket, with service entry anticipated in early 2026; it is expected to more than double Viasat's overall network bandwidth over the Americas.^[2]^[4] The F3 satellite is planned for launch in early to mid-2026, aiming for integration of all three satellites by 2027 to enable global high-speed services exceeding 100 Mbps for residential, aviation, and maritime users.^[60] Terminal upgrades, such as the 2024 introduction of high-capacity modems compatible with ViaSat-3's dynamic beam technology, support this expansion by allowing seamless transitions for end-users.^[72] Deployment challenges for ViaSat-3 include mitigating spectrum interference in crowded Ka-band environments, addressed through advanced beam-forming to optimize resource allocation.^[73] User adoption in rural areas remains gradual, influenced by the need for compatible hardware upgrades and competition from low-Earth orbit providers, though ViaSat-3's geostationary positioning offers reliable coverage for fixed broadband in underserved regions.^[74]

References

[1]
ViaSat-3: Ultra-high-capacity satellites
The VS-3 constellation is comprised of three Ka-band satellites, each designed to be capable of rapidly shifting capacity throughout its coverage area to ...
[2]
ViaSat-3 F2 Satellite Scheduled to Launch November 5, 2025
Oct 31, 2025 · The ViaSat-3 satellites are each designed to provide coverage over nearly one-third of the Earth and ViaSat-3 F2 is expected to provide services ...
[3]
ViaSat-3 F1 Begins Delivering Service for Government Customers
Oct 10, 2024 · The ViaSat-3 constellation, which will include two additional satellites, is designed to deliver high-throughput, flexible broadband ...
[4]
ViaSat-3 Flight 2 arrives at Cape Canaveral ahead of launch
Sep 30, 2025 · The VS-3 constellation represents an important part of our global, multi-orbit, multi-band network, adding capacity that is secure, reliable, ...
[5]
Dynamic Bandwidth | Viasat
Rather than having bandwidth fixed to beams, the ViaSat-3 constellation is designed to move capacity between beams to bring bandwidth when and where it's needed ...
[6]
ViaSat, Boeing Complete Preliminary Design Review for ViaSat-3 ...
Dec 19, 2016 · "The ViaSat -3 class of satellites are the highest power payloads a Boeing -built 702 satellite platform has ever supported, coupled with the ...<|control11|><|separator|>
[7]
ViaSat-3 Will Have More Capacity than the ROW Combined
Feb 10, 2016 · ViaSat projects that its next generation satellite system will have more capacity than all the other telecommunications spacecraft in the ...
[8]
Viasat Announces Highest-Speed, Unlimited Satellite Internet Service
Feb 27, 2018 · Viasat is the first satellite internet service provider in the U.S. or globally to offer plans with 100 Mbps download speeds to consumers' homes ...
[9]
Viasat Announces ViaSat-3 F2 Scheduled to Launch in
Sep 4, 2025 · ViaSat-3 F2 dynamic beam forming capabilities will deliver extensive benefits to customers in the highest demand places, with anticipated ...
[10]
The New Big 4: Assessing the Race Among the Top Operators
Feb 18, 2025 · “Additionally, when the ViaSat-3 constellation is complete, it will be able to compete with LEO-based operators on price due to the massive ...
[11]
ViaSat, Inc. - ABI Research
The upcoming Viasat-3 series is equipped with electronically steered phased array antennas that will have the capability to deliver 2,000 spot beams and a ...
[12]
https://www.advanced-television.com/2025/11/03/viasat-3-f2-is-ready-for-launch/
[13]
ViaSat-3 F2 Set to More Than Double Viasat's Bandwidth Capacity
Unlike legacy satellites constrained by limited spot beam architecture, ViaSat-3 F2 employs a dynamic, software-defined system capable of real-time capacity ...
[14]
[PDF] COMMERCIAL AND GOVERNMENT SATELLITES VIASAT-3 | Boeing
An evolution of the 702 satellite, the ViaSat-3 platform will carry all-electric propulsion and have the capability to support more than 28kW of power at the ...Missing: 702X | Show results with:702X
[15]
Boeing Delivers Powerful Satellite Platform to Viasat
Mar 20, 2023 · ViaSat-3 Americas is the first of three satellites to provide high-quality, affordable connectivity to global users - Boeing integrated ...
[16]
Boeing 702 - Wikipedia
It covers satellites massing from 1,500 kg (3,300 lb) to 6,100 kg (13,400 lb) with power outputs from 3 to 18 kW and can carry up to approximately 100 high- ...Platform versions · 702MP · 702SP · Customers
[17]
ViaSat-3 F2 satellite arrives in Florida ahead of late October launch
Oct 1, 2025 · The ViaSat-3 F2 satellite in the El Segundo, California, Boeing satellite factory ahead of containerization and shipment.
[18]
ViaSat-3 Satellite Completes Final Integrated Satellite Test
Nov 28, 2022 · ... satellite will operate during its expected 15-year lifetime. FIST provided confirmation that the satellite continued to perform as designed ...Missing: mass dimensions
[19]
ViaSat 3.1, 3.2, 3.3 (ViaSat 3 Americas, APAC, EMEA)
Aug 4, 2025 · Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the initial launch date slipped to 2023. ... ViaSat-3 F1 and finalized its claim before the end of the year.
[20]
ViaSat trades in Falcon Heavy launch for Ariane 5 - Spaceflight Now
Feb 15, 2016 · Each ViaSat 3 satellite will provide a terabit per second of network capacity, equivalent to all commercial satellites currently in space, the ...Missing: background objectives
[21]
Viasat to start Asia-Pacific ViaSat-3 satellite this year - SpaceNews
May 29, 2018 · The third ViaSat-3 satellite will complete Carlsbad, California-based Viasat's quest for global Ka-band coverage with a trio of broadband ...
[22]
Viasat, ULA insist ViaSat-3 launch was competitively procured
Oct 2, 2018 · Arianespace and ULA both have launch contracts, though Viasat has not said which launch provider will go first. Viasat has yet to sign a launch ...
[23]
Viasat, Arianespace Modify Initial ViaSat-3 Satellite Launch Contract
Jun 17, 2019 · Viasat will announce specific mission assignments for each of the contracted launch vehicles at a later date.Missing: background | Show results with:background
[24]
European Space Agency, ViaSat Partner on ViaSat-3 Satellite ...
Nov 6, 2017 · Each ViaSat -3 satellite will offer over 1- Terabit per second (Tbps) of network capacity, which is comparable to the total capacity of all ...Missing: Gilat | Show results with:Gilat
[25]
Fitch Affirms Viasat, Inc.'s 'B+' Long-Term IDR; Outlook Revised to ...
Mar 13, 2020 · In fiscal 2017, the company raised net proceeds of approximately $500 million from an equity offering to support the initial investments in ...
[26]
[PDF] April 2, 2020 FCC FACT SHEET: ViaSat Authorization Order
Apr 2, 2020 · The International Bureau accepted for filing ViaSat's petition for U.S. market access in the following frequency bands: 17.8-18.6 GHz, 18.8-19.3 ...
[27]
ViaSat, Boeing Begin Full Construction of ViaSat 3 Satellites
Sep 25, 2017 · ViaSat has completed the Critical Design Review (CDR) milestones for the ViaSat 3 class spacecraft. The company successfully completed the
[28]
ViaSat and Boeing Proceeding with Full Construction on the First ...
Sep 25, 2017 · The ViaSat-3 payload is being designed and manufactured by ViaSat at its Tempe, Arizona facility while Boeing is building the all-electric ...
[29]
Boeing Delivers Second ViaSat‑3 Satellite to Viasat
The Boeing‑built 702MP+ features efficient all‑electric propulsion, structural enhancements to host Viasat's advanced payload, and high‑power generation and ...Missing: specifications 702X
[30]
ViaSat-3 Satellite Completes Mechanical Environmental Testing
The first of three ViaSat-3 satellites at the Boeing factory in El Segundo, Calif., completing vibration tests, one of the milestones that qualify a spacecraft ...
[31]
ViaSat-3 Satellite Arrives in Cape Canaveral Ahead of Launch
Sep 30, 2025 · Boeing completed delivery of the second ViaSat-3 satellite to Viasat, and the satellite has arrived in Cape Canaveral ahead of launch.<|control11|><|separator|>
[32]
Forward Error Correction (FEC) - Viasat
We have developed and implemented proven FEC forward error correction modules that are necessary to achieve 100 to 800 Gbps throughput.Missing: electric propulsion
[33]
Viasat remains bullish on IFC; says ViaSat-3 launch delayed by ...
Feb 4, 2021 · Viasat plans an early calendar year 2022 launch of its first ViaSat-3 satellite, after experiencing program delays due to the COVID crisis.
[34]
Supplier issue behind delays with first ViaSat-3 launch - SpaceNews
Jun 19, 2019 · Problems with an unnamed component supplier are the reason the first launch of a ViaSat-3 high-throughput satellite won't happen until 2021.
[35]
ViaSat-3 Americas Successfully Launched
May 1, 2023 · Viasat Inc. (NASDAQ: VSAT), a global communications company, today announced the successful launch of ViaSat-3 Americas aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy.
[36]
Satellite Details - Viasat 3 Americas (VS-3 Americas) - SatBeams
Viasat 3 Americas (VS-3 Americas) satellite technical details, its charts, beams and coverage maps (footprints).
[37]
Viasat-3 Coverage Map
The satellite ViaSat-3 Americas will supply all 50 states of the United States, Canada, Mexico and South America. This is more coverage than Viasat has had ...
[38]
ViaSat-3 F2 Satellite to Launch in October 2025
ViaSat-3 F1: Covering the Americas, this satellite launched in May 2023. It serves North, Central, and South America with ultra-high-capacity broadband ...
[39]
ViaSat-3 F1 Satellite Enters Commercial Service
Aug 5, 2024 · ViaSat-3 F1 (VS3 F1) has entered commercial service and is now available for aviation customers operating over North America, including routes servicing Hawaii.
[40]
ViaSat-3 F2 delivered to Florida for October launch - SpaceNews
Viasat's second ViaSat-3 satellite has arrived in Florida for a launch in the second half of October, giving the company another chance to ...
[41]
Viasat nears launch of VS-3 F2 satellite aboard ULA Atlas V rocket
Oct 22, 2025 · Viasat is poised to soon launch its much-anticipated ViaSat-3 Flight 2 (VS-3 F2) satellite, more than doubling the capacity of its fleet.
[42]
ITU gives Viasat until July 29, 2023, to start service on Viasat-3 ...
Apr 22, 2022 · ITU regulators accepted a renewed appeal by Israel's Ministry of Communications to extend the in-service deadline for the Viasat-3 EMEA satellite.<|control11|><|separator|>
[43]
https://www.viasat.com/news/latest-news/corporate/2025/viasat3-f2-launch-update/
[44]
Viasat Completes Major Milestone with Second ViaSat-3 Satellite ...
The second ViaSat-3 class satellite is expected to provide broadband service over Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) in 2023.Missing: beams Mediterranean Atlantic standards
[45]
Disaster response | Viasat
When time is of the essence, Viasat can quickly equip boots on the ground with satellite phones and portable broadband terminals to enable first-responders and ...
[46]
STARLUX commits to Viasat with launch of enhanced in-flight ...
Feb 4, 2025 · With Viasat's high-capacity Ka-band satellite network over the Asia Pacific region, expected to soon include one of Viasat's next generation ...
[47]
https://spacenews.com/spacex-falcon-heavy-launches-first-viasat-3-satellite/
[48]
SpaceX Falcon Heavy launches first ViaSat-3 satellite - SpaceNews
May 1, 2023 · SpaceX launched the Americas-focused ViaSat-3 broadband satellite on a Falcon Heavy rocket April 30 following delays partly caused by severe weather.
[49]
Viasat books Falcon Heavy for ViaSat-3 launch - SpaceNews
Oct 25, 2018 · Fleet operator Viasat of Carlsbad, California, plans to launch a large telecom satellite on a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket between 2020 and 2022.
[50]
[PDF] ViaSat-3 Americas - press kit [2023-04-26]
SpaceX is targeting Wednesday, April 26 for a Falcon Heavy launch of the ViaSat-3 Americas mission to geostationary orbit from Launch.
[51]
ViaSat-3 Americas launches on expendable Falcon Heavy
Apr 30, 2023 · ViaSat-3 Americas is planned to use the geostationary orbital slot ... The spacecraft will use a slot at 163 degrees West longitude.
[52]
ViaSat-3 Americas Successfully Launched
May 1, 2023 · Mark Dankberg , Viasat's chairman and CEO commented, "Today's successful launch of ViaSat -3 Americas opens a new chapter in Viasat's growth.
[53]
ViaSat-3 F2 | Atlas V 551 - Next Spaceflight
Get the App. ULA. /. ViaSat-3 F2. Liftoff Time (GMT). 03:00:00. Friday November 14, 2025. 03:00. Window Open. 05:05. Window Close. Watch Livestream.
[54]
Issue with Atlas 5 booster liquid oxygen vent valve causes second ...
Issue with Atlas 5 booster liquid oxygen vent valve causes second scrub of ViaSat-3 F2 launch. November 6, 2025 Spaceflight Now. United Launch Alliance's ...
[55]
Atlas V ViaSat-3 F2 - United Launch Alliance
Last Updated: Nov 06 18:04. ↓. Alert. Nov 06 18:04. ULA Atlas V ViaSat-3 F2 delayed. (Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Fla., Nov. 6, 2025) – The launch ...
[56]
https://nextspaceflight.com/launches/details/913/
[57]
ViaSat-3 F2: Engineering marvel will use Atlas V for launch to space
Oct 29, 2025 · This highly flexible capacity is enhanced by 1,000+ steerable spot beams that offer reliable connectivity for mobile platforms.
[58]
[PDF] Q3 FY25 - Shareholder Letter - Viasat Investor Relations
ViaSat-3 F3. GX-10A/B. Early-mid 2025. GX-7/8/9. 2027. Inmarsat-8. 2028. + ... capacity, coverage, service speeds and other features of our satellites, and ...
[59]
Viasat seeks replacement for Ariane 6 for launch of third ViaSat 3 ...
Apr 30, 2023 · Viasat says it has moved the launch of an identical spacecraft off of Europe's long-delayed Ariane 6 rocket, and is considering bids from other rocket ...
[60]
ViaSat-3 F3 | Ariane 64 - Next Spaceflight
In late April 2023, it was announced that ViaSat-3 F3 will no longer fly on Ariane 6 due to delays in Ariane 6 development as well as the re-manifestation of ...
[61]
How Much Does a Viasat-3 Satellite Weight?
It weighs 6.4 metric tons, which is 6,400 KG, or 14,110 pounds. It is approximately in the same weight class of a large African elephant, or a bundle of 3 large ...
[62]
The ViaSat-3 Story — Nine Years from Concept to October Launch
Sep 15, 2025 · The satellite is anticipated to enter service in early 2026, finally giving Viasat access to the full operational capacity that was originally ...
[63]
Viasat's First ViaSat-3 Satellite Achieves Major Milestone
Jun 7, 2021 · Just three of these satellites will cover nearly the entire globe, and are expected to deliver over 3,000 Gigabits per second (Gbps) of capacity ...
[64]
[PDF] VIASAT DUAL-BAND SOLUTION
Capable of operating on full ITU Ka-band spectrum, our multi-band terminal achieves speeds up to 55 Mbps* FL and up to 12 Mbps*. RL, enabling in-flight secure ...
[65]
ViaSat-3 - Wikipedia
ViaSat-3 F1 launched on 1 May 2023 aboard a Falcon Heavy rocket, which successfully placed it into a near-geosynchronous orbit in the early hours of 1 May at ...History · Satellites · Launch
[66]
The ViaSat-3 Asia-Pacific ground segment gets a world-class partner
Feb 1, 2022 · The first two satellites will focus on the Americas and Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA), respectively, with the third targeting the Asia- ...
[67]
Connecting ViaSat-3's Invisible Link to Earth
Apr 29, 2023 · ViaSat-3 EMEA will cover Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and ViaSat-3 APAC will cover the Asia-Pacific regions. “Each ground network is ...Missing: background objectives<|control11|><|separator|>
[68]
Viasat-3 Latency
Typically the average latency for satellite internet in perfect conditions is around 550 ms. This has been the case for the first two satellites Viasat put ...<|control11|><|separator|>
[69]
Latency is the Achille's Heel for HughesNet, Viasat | Ookla®
Jul 15, 2025 · Viasat's median latency increased slightly over that time period from 676 ms in Q1 2022 to 684 ms in Q1 2025. But neither are remotely close to ...
[70]
ViaSat-3 F1 Satellite Enters Commercial Service - PR Newswire
Aug 5, 2024 · ViaSat-3 F1 experienced an antenna deployment anomaly following its launch in April 2023. However, extensive in-orbit testing demonstrated that ...
[71]
ViaSat-3 satellite begins service for U.S. Marine Corps - SpaceNews
Oct 10, 2024 · ViaSat-3 F1, launched in April 2023, faced an antenna deployment anomaly that significantly reduced its overall capacity. However, the company ...
[72]
ViaSat-3 F1 Satellite Enters Commercial Service
Aug 5, 2024 · ViaSat -3 F1 experienced an antenna deployment anomaly following its launch in April 2023 . However, extensive in-orbit testing demonstrated ...
[73]
Press Release: ViaSat-3 F1 satellite enters commercial service
Aug 5, 2024 · ViaSat-3 F1 (VS3 F1) has entered commercial service and is now available for aviation customers operating over North America, including routes servicing Hawaii.<|control11|><|separator|>
[74]
NexusWave | Inmarsat Maritime
Be prepared for tomorrow's bandwidth demands with an upgrade path to the ViaSat-3 satellite network—designed to grow with your requirements. Connectivity ...
[75]
AIX 2024: Viasat Outlines New Terminal Solution, Updates to Digital ...
Jun 4, 2024 · Viasat outlined an exciting new global in-flight connectivity (IFC) offering enabled by the development of a new terminal solution.
[76]
Space equity | Viasat
Large low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellations pose significant environmental challenges, including increased risks of orbital collisions, atmospheric ...
[77]
What Happened to Viasat's New Satellite? - HighSpeedInternet.com
Aug 22, 2024 · Due to a problem deploying its main antenna, Viasat's new $700 million satellite could be a total loss. Find out what that means for ...