ViaSat-3 Satellite Completes Mechanical Environmental Testing

Rhea-AI Summary

Viasat Inc. (NASDAQ: VSAT) announced that its ViaSat-3 Americas satellite has successfully completed mechanical environmental testing, a key milestone towards its launch. This testing ensures that the satellite can withstand the intense conditions of a launch, following earlier successful thermal vacuum tests. The launch is on track for later this year, with further testing planned for deployment systems. The ViaSat-3 class aims to deliver superior bandwidth economics and flexibility for global coverage, focusing on the Americas, EMEA, and Asia Pacific regions.

Positive

• Successful completion of mechanical environmental testing for the ViaSat-3 Americas satellite.
• Satellite demonstrates capability to withstand launch conditions.
• Launch scheduled for later this year, indicating progress in Viasat's satellite deployment strategy.
• Significant potential for bandwidth economics and flexibility in satellite services.

Negative

• None.

Satellite receives green light to move ahead, closer to launch

CARLSBAD, Calif., Oct. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Viasat Inc. (NASDAQ: VSAT), a global leader in satellite communications, announced today the ViaSat-3 Americas satellite has completed mechanical environmental testing. This is a significant milestone that is designed to verify the satellite can endure the rigors of launch and continues the momentum for launch later this year.

During mechanical environmental testing, the ViaSat-3 Americas satellite was subjected to simulations of the vibration and acoustic environments it will experience during launch. The satellite had already successfully completed thermal vacuum testing that simulated vacuum and extreme hot and cold conditions of space where the satellite will operate during its expected 15-year lifetime.

"The completion of the mechanical environmental testing, coupled with the earlier successful completion of thermal vacuum testing, confirms that the first ViaSat-3 spacecraft can withstand the extreme environments from launch through in-orbit operations," said Dave Ryan, president of Space & Commercial Networks at Viasat. "The combined Viasat, Boeing, and Northrop Grumman teams have done an outstanding job in progressing through environmental testing with very successful results."

The ViaSat-3 Americas satellite now moves into post-environmental deployment testing, where the solar arrays, reflectors, radiators and thrusters are tested to ensure they can survive launch conditions and properly deploy on orbit.

The ViaSat-3 class of Ka-band satellites are expected to provide the best bandwidth economics in the industry with substantial flexibility to move and concentrate that capacity virtually anywhere there is demand - whether it is on land, in the ocean or in the air. The first two satellites are planned to focus on the Americas and on EMEA, respectively, and the ViaSat-3 EMEA satellite is undergoing integration with spacecraft partner, Boeing. The third ViaSat-3 satellite is now undergoing final payload integration and testing at Viasat's Tempe, Arizona facility and will focus on the Asia Pacific region, completing Viasat's global service coverage.

For more information on the ViaSat-3 constellation, visit: viasat.com/space-innovation/satellite-fleet/viasat-3/

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to the safe harbors created under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward looking statements include among others, statements about the performance, capabilities and anticipated benefits of the ViaSat-3 class satellite platform, projected bandwidth economics, expected coverage, flexibility, useful life and other features of the ViaSat-3 constellation, and the timing of launch. Readers are cautioned that actual results could differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ include: risks associated with the construction, launch and operation of the ViaSat-3 class satellites and Viasat's other satellites, including the effect of any anomaly, operational failure or degradation in satellite performance; the ability to realize the anticipated benefits of the ViaSat-3 satellite platforms; unexpected expenses or delays related to the satellite system; the ability to successfully implement Viasat's business plan for broadband satellite services on Viasat's anticipated timeline or at all, including with respect to the ViaSat-3 satellite platforms; contractual problems, product defects, manufacturing issues or delays; regulatory issues; technologies not being developed according to anticipated schedules, or that do not perform according to expectations; and increased competition and other factors affecting the connectivity sector, generally. In addition, please refer to the risk factors contained in Viasat's SEC filings available at www.sec.gov, including Viasat's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they are made. Viasat undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements for any reason.

About Viasat

Viasat is a global communications company that believes everyone and everything in the world can be connected. For more than 35 years, Viasat has helped shape how consumers, businesses, governments and militaries around the world communicate. Today, the Company is developing the ultimate global communications network to power high-quality, secure, affordable, fast connections to impact people's lives anywhere they are—on the ground, in the air or at sea. To learn more about Viasat, visit: www.viasat.com, go to Viasat's Corporate Blog, or follow the Company on social media at: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter or YouTube.

Copyright © 2022 Viasat, Inc. All rights reserved. Viasat, the Viasat logo and the Viasat signal are registered trademarks of Viasat, Inc. All other product or company names mentioned are used for identification purposes only and may be trademarks of their respective owners.

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SOURCE Viasat, Inc.

FAQ

What is the significance of the ViaSat-3 Americas satellite's recent test?

The mechanical environmental testing ensures the satellite can endure the conditions of launch, marking a crucial step toward its scheduled launch.

When is the ViaSat-3 Americas satellite expected to launch?

The launch is planned for later this year, following the completion of various testing phases.

What regions will the ViaSat-3 class satellites cover?

The first two satellites will focus on the Americas and EMEA, with a third satellite aimed at the Asia Pacific region.

How does the ViaSat-3 class improve satellite communication?

The ViaSat-3 class is expected to offer enhanced bandwidth economics and flexibility, allowing for better service deployment in demand areas.

What are potential risks associated with the ViaSat-3 satellite program?

Risks include construction and operational challenges, potential anomalies, and market competition affecting satellite service deployment.