ViaSat-3
ViaSat-3 is a constellation of geostationary Ka-band communications satellites that will be deployed over the Americas, Europe, and Middle East. Each satellite will provide broadband connectivity at speeds of at least 100 Mbit/s to homes or businesses. The total capacity of the satellites is more than one terabit per seconds. ViaSat-3 is expected to be in service for at most 15 years. This satellite will provide the largest bandwidth capacity in the industry.
ViaSat’s plans to launch the ViaSat-3 satellite are underway. The payload was delivered to Boeing in July, and it is now undergoing final integration and testing. Although it will take several months to go into full-service, the payload is scheduled to enter commercial service later this fiscal year.
With the addition of ViaSat-3, Viasat will be able to serve thousands of aircraft and ships simultaneously, and the ViaSat-3 satellite will allow for greater speed and capacity. The payload will be integrated in the Boeing-provided payload unit, which will then launch into orbit. However, the launch itself will be delayed for about six weeks.
The ViaSat-3 class of satellites was first announced in 2015. They are designed to concentrate bandwidth in the Asia/Pacific region, where there are more users than anywhere else on earth. According to Viasat, the ViaSat-3 will be the world’s largest broadband satellite, with a payload that weighs 6,400 kg and will provide a total network capacity of over one terabit. In addition, the ViaSat-3 will offer the highest bandwidth economics in the industry, and Viasat is aiming to make its services available to a large, addressable market.
ViaSat-3’s satellite will be able to support Viasat inflight connectivity services that offer high-speed Internet connectivity for planes. These capabilities will allow passengers to stream movies, videos, and other types of content, and to access other online resources. Moreover, the satellite will also provide a platform for cloud computing.
Several of the ViaSat-3 satellites are expected to be launched at six-month intervals. There are three launch contracts in place: one with SpaceX on the Falcon Heavy, one with ULA on the Atlas 5 rocket, and one with Arianespace on the Ariane 64 rocket. Currently, the ViaSat-3 satellites are in the process of completing post-environmental deployment testing, thermal vacuum testing, and spacecraft integration.
ViaSat-3 satellites are supported by the Affordable Connectivity Program. Through this program, qualified households can obtain discounted monthly subscriptions of up to $30. Families can also sign up for discounts up to $75 if eligible to use tribal lands.
In a recent research note, B Riley analyst Mike Crawford said that the ViaSat-3 is nearly three years behind schedule. While this delay doesn’t necessarily mean a change in the timing of the satellite’s launches, the delay equates to about six weeks, according to B Riley.
Viasat has faced delays in previous satellite projects, and it will be interesting to see what happens with this project. Despite the recent setback, the company has a strong, blue-chip customer base, including government agencies, large communications service providers, and civil organizations. Viasat expects that residential broadband will continue to decline over the next three quarters of fiscal 2023.