CAPE CANAVERAL SPACE FORCE STATION, Fla. – A United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket successfully launched the ViaSat-3 F2 communications satellite into orbit. The powerful 551-configuration vehicle lifted off from Space Launch Complex-41, carrying the high-capacity spacecraft on a mission to significantly expand broadband coverage and capacity across the Americas.
This launch marks a key milestone in the partnership between ULA and Viasat, Inc., a global leader in satellite communications. The mission underscores a shared commitment to advancing global connectivity through reliable and precise launch services.
“We partner in the shared goals of connecting the world, and this successful launch aligns with this core mission,” said Gary Wentz, ULA vice president of Government and Commercial Programs. “Thank you, Viasat, for your trust in our shared visions and successful partnership.”
The Atlas V delivered the ViaSat-3 F2 satellite to its intended geosynchronous transfer orbit (GTO). From there, the spacecraft will maneuver to its final orbital position, where it will become a critical component of Viasat’s global, multi-orbit network. This network serves a diverse range of consumer, commercial, and government customers.
The newly deployed satellite is designed to add approximately 1 terabit per second (Tbps) of total network capacity. This substantial upgrade is targeted to meet the escalating demand across North, Central, and South America for secure, reliable, and high-bandwidth satellite internet services. The ViaSat-3 F2 spacecraft will provide enhanced flexibility and coverage, helping to bridge digital divides and support applications from in-flight connectivity to remote community internet access.
This mission was the second launch in the three-satellite ViaSat-3 constellation series, following the successful deployment of the first satellite earlier this year. The global system aims to deliver seamless, high-speed coverage over land, sea, and air. ULA is scheduled to launch the final satellite in the series, ViaSat-3 F3, covering the Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) region, in 2024.
The launch continues ULA’s record of mission success, providing a dependable catalyst for customers aiming to build the next generation of global communications infrastructure.
