Viasat’s plans to massively increase capacity and coverage with the ViaSat-3 constellation will have to wait a bit longer. After weeks of speculation and rumors the company confirmed “an unexpected event occurred during reflector deployment that may materially impact the performance of the ViaSat-3 Americas satellite.”
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ViaSat-3 Americas launches successfully
The first ViaSat-3 satellite successfully launched from Cape Canaveral on Sunday night, beginning its short ride to geostationary orbit where it will open the next generation of satellite communications, including the inflight market.
OneWeb confirms launch schedule into 2023
With SpaceX and ISRO contracts signed, OneWeb will soon be ready to resume launches of its low earth orbit satellites. Under the revised plan the launches will extend into 2023, as the company works to complete its satellite constellation and establish its global footprint.
Revising the launch timeline
With SpaceX and ISRO contracts signed, OneWeb will soon be ready to resume launches of its low earth orbit satellites. And, while some connectivity services are already available, details on timing for completing the constellation have remained scant.
Small Sats get a launch boost from SpaceX, Ariancespace
Cutting the cost for delivering satellites into space is a key factor to increasing capacity and improving coverage in the inflight connectivity market. SpaceX and Arianespace both announced programs today that will help on this front.
Inmarsat signs on as first commercial launch customer for MHI’s H3 rocket
Inmarsat secured a new way into space. The company signed on with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries as the first commercial customer for the H3 launch vehicle. The launch is expected in 2022(ish).
Iridium picks up the pace
Iridium has a target date for its 5th launch of Iridium NEXT satellites. With that event the company aims to pick up the pace, speeding towards completion of the new constellation.