Viasat, Inc. confirmed the scheduled launch date of its ViaSat-3 F3 satellite is April 27, 2026, during an 85-minute launch window opening at 10:21 a.m. EDT. The satellite will be launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket from Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A) at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Launching on a Falcon Heavy rocket reduces time to orbit by delivering the satellite to a more favorable transfer orbit where the satellite?s electric propulsion will take over to place ViaSat-3 F3 in geostationary orbit.
Following launch, the ViaSat-3 F3 satellite will spend several months traveling to geostationary orbit before arriving at its reserved orbital slot. It will go through rigorous in-orbit testing of both the bus and payload before entering service, expected to occur by late summer 2026. The ViaSat-3 satellites are each designed to provide regional coverage, with ViaSat-3 F3 expected to cover the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region.
The ViaSat-3 satellites are designed with technology to maximize efficient, flexible bandwidth deployment and provide enhanced performance for commercial mobility, fixed services and defense customers. ViaSat-3 F3 will complete the constellation, introducing new functional capabilities including new forms of resilience for US and international government customers. ViaSat-3 F1 entered service in 2024.
ViaSat-3 F2 in-orbit testing is advancing with the reflector successfully completing bloom. The reflector deployment progression was impacted by operational constraints imposed by the spring eclipse season, which has now concluded. Final deployments are expected to be completed over the next several weeks.
