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ULA Sets Launch Date For ViaSat 3 Aboard Atlas V

United Launch Alliance (ULA) has confirmed the scheduled launch of the ViaSat-3 communications satellite for April 18, 2023. This mission will utilize the veteran Atlas V 551 rocket, lifting off from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. The date marks a pivotal moment in the commercial satellite sector, as it represents one of the final Atlas V flights before its retirement and a significant milestone for global broadband capabilities.

The launch unites three major aerospace players. ULA, a joint venture between Boeing and Lockheed Martin, is providing one of its most powerful lifters. ViaSat, a leading provider of high-capacity satellite broadband services, is deploying the first of three satellites designed to deliver global coverage. And Boeing, as the satellite manufacturer, is contributing its 702MP+ platform equipped with enhanced payload power. Together, they’re pushing the boundaries of satellite data throughput and orbital precision.

Shaping the Skies: United Launch Alliance’s Aerospace Legacy

Built on Heritage, Driven by Precision

United Launch Alliance (ULA) emerged from two aerospace giants—Boeing and Lockheed Martin—combining their launch divisions in 2006 to streamline and secure U.S. access to space. Over nearly two decades, ULA has executed more than 150 missions, consistently delivering payloads into orbit with an unmatched record of mission success. This track record stems from a deep integration of engineering expertise, vertical system control, and an exacting approach to vehicle manufacturing and launch readiness.

Reliability Rooted in Experience

ULA’s products, notably the Atlas V and Delta IV launch systems, have been the backbone of U.S. national security space launches. From high-priority Department of Defense missions to payloads for NASA and commercial partners, the company has played a pivotal role in shaping modern space operations. Every launch underlines a core commitment to precise orbital delivery and system integrity—from weather monitoring satellites to interplanetary probes.

Commercial Expansion in 2024

Amid rising demand for commercial launch services, ULA has sharpened its competitive edge in 2024. Strategic alliances with satellite communications firms, like ViaSat, signal a clear pivot toward scalable, high-throughput payloads. The company’s active participation in the expanding space economy reflects a broader trend: government-devised launch platforms are now driving some of the most advanced telecommunications infrastructure globally.

Commercial operators are choosing ULA not only for proven safety margins but also for schedule confidence and orbital precision. The launch of ViaSat-3 aboard an Atlas V vehicle exemplifies this shift—where innovation, payload complexity, and timing intersect with legacy aerospace engineering.

The Atlas V Rocket: Reliable Powerhouse for Critical Missions

Overview of the Atlas V Launch Vehicle

Developed by United Launch Alliance, the Atlas V rocket stands as a cornerstone in America’s space launch capability. Designed for flexibility and precision, this expendable launch vehicle supports a range of orbital missions—from low Earth to geostationary transfer orbits and interplanetary trajectories. Its modular architecture allows for multiple configurations, adapting seamlessly to the requirements of both commercial and government payloads.

Proven Performance in Over 90 Successful Missions

Since its first flight in 2002, Atlas V has achieved over 90 successful launches. The vehicle maintains a near-perfect success rate, with only one partial failure across more than two decades of service. This track record has positioned it as a trusted choice for critical missions, including those involving multi-billion-dollar national security payloads and high-value commercial satellites.

Used for National Security and Commercial Payloads

The U.S. Department of Defense, the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), and NASA have consistently selected Atlas V for deployments requiring high confidence launch environments. At the same time, commercial customers—including communication giants and satellite internet providers—turn to the rocket for its precision insertion and minimal launch risk.

Launch Vehicle Configuration for ViaSat-3

ULA has selected the Atlas V 551 configuration to carry the ViaSat-3 satellite to geostationary transfer orbit. This is the most powerful variant of the Atlas V family and is engineered specifically to deliver heavier payloads over long distances.

Details of the Atlas V 551 Configuration

Combining brute force with precision engineering, the Atlas V 551 configuration ensures that the ViaSat-3 mission will be delivered into its intended orbit efficiently—with performance reliability that mirrors ULA’s established launch heritage.

Meet the Customer: ViaSat and its Role in Broadband Innovation

Leading the Satellite Internet Frontier

ViaSat Inc., headquartered in Carlsbad, California, operates as a global communications company with a strong focus on delivering satellite-based internet services. Founded in 1986, ViaSat has grown from a defense communications contractor into a pivotal player in the commercial satellite broadband market. Its offerings now span residential internet, in-flight connectivity, and broadband services to remote and underconnected regions around the world.

Decades of Evolution in Satellite Communications

From its early contracts with the U.S. Department of Defense in the 1990s to its first major commercial satellite—ViaSat-1, launched in 2011—the company has consistently pushed the boundaries of satellite throughput and coverage. That first high-capacity satellite set a Guinness World Record for the highest capacity communications satellite ever launched at the time, delivering over 140 Gbps of total throughput.

ViaSat continued its strategic development with the launch of ViaSat-2 in 2017, expanding coverage across North America, the Caribbean, and parts of Europe. This satellite offered roughly double the capacity of its predecessor, paving the way for seamless streaming, video conferencing, and cloud-based applications in locations where terrestrial infrastructure falls short.

A Vision Centered on High-Capacity Broadband

ViaSat’s satellite architecture is notable for its focus on Ka-band frequency and spot-beam technology. This approach enables highly targeted coverage zones and dramatically increases spectral efficiency. Unlike traditional wide-beam satellites, ViaSat’s high-capacity platforms can handle hundreds of gigabits per second, meeting the growing global demand for streaming media and cloud services.

The company’s strategy revolves around building global coverage through a constellation of geostationary satellites. With the ViaSat-3 series, it is targeting near-global coverage with just three satellites—each positioned to serve the Americas, EMEA (Europe, Middle East, and Africa), and Asia-Pacific respectively.

Engineering Excellence with Boeing

Each ViaSat-3 satellite is being developed in partnership with Boeing, marrying ViaSat’s communications payload with Boeing’s hybrid-electric 702 satellite platform. This collaboration integrates next-generation payload flexibility with scalable bus technology, allowing ViaSat to reallocate bandwidth dynamically in response to user demand and regional traffic patterns.

Combining advanced beamforming, flexible routing, and dynamic bandwidth allocation, the ViaSat-3 platform redefines what’s technically possible in broadband satellite communications. Each satellite in the series will exceed 1 Tbps of capacity—more than the combined capacity of all commercial satellites in orbit as of 2016.

The ViaSat-3 Satellite: A New Era in Satellite Communication Technology

ViaSat-3 represents a leap forward in geostationary satellite engineering, combining capacity, coverage, and flexibility into a single platform. Built to deliver over 1 terabit per second (Tbps) of total network capacity, this high-throughput satellite pushes the limits of what's commercially possible in space-based broadband delivery.

Technical Profile of ViaSat-3

The spacecraft employs a Ka-band payload and a flexible digital backbone designed to dynamically allocate bandwidth based on real-time demand. Each satellite in the ViaSat-3 series integrates a large reflector antenna system capable of forming multiple spot beams, allowing for higher spectral efficiency and more targeted service availability.

Weighing in at roughly 6,400 kilograms and built on the Boeing 702 platform, the satellite combines powerful solar arrays and a sophisticated propulsion system for station-keeping and end-of-life deorbiting. The payload offers full in-orbit reconfigurability, which allows operators to adjust not just throughput, but also beam locations and routing tables mid-mission.

1+ Tbps: Rewriting the Rules of Satellite Bandwidth

ViaSat-3’s advertised capacity of over 1 Tbps sets it apart. For context, this figure exceeds the combined throughput of all other commercial communications satellites currently in operation within its service region. This capacity level enables multi-gigabit speeds per user in select scenarios, supports aircraft and maritime connectivity, and plays a critical role in expanding underserved and unserved global markets.

Why Geostationary Orbit Still Matters

Stationed in geostationary orbit at approximately 35,786 kilometers above Earth, ViaSat-3 maintains a fixed position relative to the equator. This allows for wide, consistent coverage over its targeted service area — in this case, the Americas for Flight 2. Unlike low-Earth constellations that require continuous handoffs between satellites, a geostationary platform ensures minimal connection interruptions, fewer ground antennas, and higher per-beam power density.

Flight 2: Extending ViaSat’s Global Footprint

This launch marks the second installment in a three-satellite ViaSat-3 constellation. The full system will provide near-global coverage — with the first covering the Americas, the second serving Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, and the third targeting Asia-Pacific. Flight 2’s deployment aboard ULA’s Atlas V is a keystone moment in realizing this phased expansion strategy.

With each addition, the constellation creates a tighter, more robust web of high-throughput resources, paving the way for enterprise-class connectivity in markets where terrestrial infrastructure remains out of reach.

Cape Canaveral: Ground Zero for America’s Commercial Launch Ambitions

From Historic Launches to a High-Tech Future

Cape Canaveral carries decades of spaceflight legacy, having hosted landmark missions like the first U.S. satellite (Explorer 1 in 1958), John Glenn’s orbital flight in 1962, and countless Apollo and shuttle launches. It's more than a location — it's the cornerstone of American aerospace history. Today, that legacy continues with a shift toward high-throughput commercial satellite programs like ViaSat-3.

Inside Space Launch Complex 41

Located at the northern edge of Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Space Launch Complex 41 (SLC-41) stands as a key facility for commercial missions. Originally activated for the Titan III and IV programs, the pad transitioned in 2002 to support ULA’s Atlas V operations. Every structural component — from the 30-story mobile service tower to the clean pad design — supports the logistical demands of heavy-lift orbital launches.

With a launch table powered by hydraulic actuators and cryogenic propellant systems routed underground to minimize thermal exposure, SLC-41 enables both performance and safety. This design has supported over 30 Atlas V missions since 2002, making it a proven platform for commercial and military payload deployments alike.

Atlas V's Cape Headquarters

SLC-41 has become the operational home for ULA’s Atlas V, including the upcoming mission sending ViaSat-3 into geostationary orbit. Cape Canaveral offers the ideal latitude and infrastructure: orbital inclination flexibility, immediate Atlantic Ocean overflight, and proximity to key suppliers and integration tech hubs across Florida’s Space Coast.

This site has supported launches across orbits — low Earth, sun-synchronous, geostationary transfer, and interplanetary — bolstering ULA’s ability to meet varied customer profiles. Commercial clients like ViaSat benefit from this capability, gaining predictable windows and minimized risk.

Next-Generation Upgrades Driving Commercial Capacity

The Cape Canaveral complex is not standing still. Over the last decade, it’s undergone continual upgrades to meet the demands of next-gen vehicles and commercial programs. Fiber-optic communication, real-time telemetry streaming, autonomous countdown systems, and digital integration suites now define modern launches.

Space Launch Complex 41 has received tailored enhancements to accommodate longer payload fairings, greater payload volumes, and integrated horizontal-to-vertical integration workflows. These modernizations support rapid processing and reduce ground time — two key metrics for commercial clients targeting tight deployment timelines.

In essence, Cape Canaveral has evolved into a dynamic commercial gateway, not just a government launch site. It supports legacy assets while enabling the next wave of broadband, defense, and discovery missions to lift off on schedule, powered by launch systems like the Atlas V.

Countdown to the Sky: Key Milestones in the ViaSat-3 Launch Campaign

Confirmed Launch Date and Window

United Launch Alliance has set the launch date for the ViaSat-3 Americas mission aboard an Atlas V 551 rocket for April 18, 2023, with a liftoff window opening at 7:24 p.m. EDT. The launch will take place from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. The selected launch window spans approximately two hours, allowing flexibility to accommodate range conditions and upper-level winds.

Integration and Pre-Flight Testing Milestones

Final Countdown Timeline Leading to Launch

ViaSat-3 Flight 2 Within ULA’s Broader Manifest

This particular launch marks the second mission of the ViaSat-3 global constellation, following a series of government payload deployments that began ULA’s 2023 manifest. Flight 2 is one of 25 missions currently slated for Atlas V before the platform retires in favor of Vulcan Centaur. Positioned mid-year, this mission supports ULA’s transition from legacy vehicles to next-generation systems.

Launch Calendar Coordination

ULA coordinates launch windows in close synchronization with other Cape Canaveral tenants, including NASA and SpaceX. This activity includes securing range availability from the Eastern Range as well as airspace and maritime coordination overseen by the Federal Aviation Administration and U.S. Space Force’s Space Launch Delta 45. The flow of missions from private customers like ViaSat is slotted alongside national security payloads and interplanetary launches, reflecting an increasingly collaborative cadence among commercial and government stakeholders.

Cooperative Momentum: How Space Industry Partnerships Drive Innovation and Capability

Aligning Strengths: ULA, ViaSat, and Boeing

Behind the upcoming launch of ViaSat-3 lies a deliberate collaboration shaped by complementary expertise. United Launch Alliance contributes its flight-proven Atlas V system; ViaSat supplies the next-generation satellite payload; Boeing delivers the state-of-the-art 702MP bus platform. Each company plays a pivotal role in shaping a cohesive mission architecture. Together, they streamline integration, align timelines, and share in risk mitigation strategies that accelerate deployment without compromising reliability.

This tripartite collaboration illustrates the evolution of aerospace partnerships. Rather than acting as discrete contractors, these industry leaders operate as interconnected propulsion, payload, and platform providers—forming a closed-loop system tuned for efficiency.

Commercial Competition, Coordinated Vision

In the past decade, the commercial satellite industry has transitioned from isolated launches to actively coordinated deployment campaigns. ULA’s collaboration with ViaSat doesn’t occur in a vacuum. It stands on a competitive landscape defined by players like SpaceX, Arianespace, and Blue Origin. Yet cooperation emerges where innovation and capacity require joint development.

Through shared launch manifests, cross-utilization of transport assets, and industry interoperability standards, even competitors contribute to an ecosystem where reliability and throughput outweigh siloed advantage. This hybrid model—cooperative competition—allows private and public stakeholders to scale more broadly and execute more complex orbital configurations faster.

Redrawing the Partnership Map: Global Constellations and Hybrid Frameworks

Satellite constellations now span hemispheres, demanding new forms of collaboration. Consider examples like OneWeb's distribution across multiple launch providers or the European Space Agency’s modular supply chain for Galileo. These frameworks rely not only on technological design but on cross-border logistics, harmonized spectrum management, and iterative design testing shared between states and commercial actors.

These examples reveal a constellation-building process more akin to modular software architecture than traditional aerospace engineering. Each component—platform, launch, ground control—adapts to different timelines and technological cycles but operates under a unified programmatic outcome.

Innovation by Demand: Commercial Customers Set the Pace

ViaSat’s need for massive throughput and flexible beamforming directly influences the design of both satellite architecture and launch specifications. When commercial customers scale their requirements—not just in volume but in latency, fault tolerance, and revisit rate—they reshape launcher capabilities as a consequence.

ULA’s response? Tailored fairing configurations, low-vibration long coast phases, and enhanced orbital accuracy. The emerging trend is clear: innovation in the launch sector no longer flows only top-down from governmental R&D labs. It increasingly bubbles up from service-level demand—broadband markets, Earth observation networks, and IoT constellations—pushing engineering and integration teams to iterate in real time.

What if customer requirements changed mid-program? Through tightly-coupled partnerships, updates can be executed without disrupting manufacturing flow. That’s the real outcome of partnership: not just shared workload, but shared adaptability.

The Future of High-Capacity Satellite Networks

Enhanced Connectivity for a Connected Planet

ViaSat-3 reshapes expectations in a market demanding speed, consistency, and expanded reach. For consumers, it bridges performance gaps that previously excluded rural and remote communities from reliable high-speed broadband. Enterprise clients gain access to more scalable, globally integrated network solutions that support cloud-driven workflows, data-intensive applications, and seamless interconnectivity across continents.

The new satellite’s projected capacity—exceeding 1 Terabit per second—rivals the throughput of traditional fiber networks in select scenarios. This magnitude of bandwidth paired with low-latency performance elevates the internet experience in areas that traditional infrastructure ignores due to logistical or economic constraints.

Connectivity Where Infrastructure Doesn’t Reach

In underserved and geographically complex regions, terrestrial infrastructure often fails due to high deployment costs or regulatory bottlenecks. ViaSat-3 launches a viable alternative. Its geostationary orbit enables consistent coverage to targeted regions, providing educational institutions, businesses, telehealth providers, and residential users with access to speeds and reliability that match—or even exceed—urban terrestrial networks.

As ViaSat-3 becomes fully operational, expect a measurable uptick in digital inclusion across Latin America, Sub-Saharan Africa, rural Asia, and remote Arctic communities. Each additional satellite in the global constellation feeds into a mesh of ultra-high-capacity beams that scale based on demand.

Redefining Mobility Across Sea and Sky

Beyond stationary terminals, the satellite’s impact extends to rapidly growing sectors like maritime and in-flight communication. Cargo ships, cruise liners, private jets, and commercial airliners all rely on persistent, uninterrupted data streams for both operational and customer-facing services. ViaSat-3 delivers this through spot beam technology that dynamically allocates bandwidth to moving platforms without degrading performance. This directly boosts navigation systems, entertainment interfaces, and real-time logistics coordination.

If you’ve streamed video mid-flight or tracked cargo mid-ocean, consider how a tenfold increase in satellite capacity transforms those experiences. Higher throughput paired with lower cost per bit makes ultra-HD streaming, real-time video conferencing, and IoT data syncing viable aboard vehicles constantly in motion across oceans or high altitudes.

Next Decade of Satellite Connectivity

Forecasts from Euroconsult and NSR point toward a new era of hybrid network models by 2030. These combine LEOs, GEOs, and terrestrial systems into unified service delivery frameworks. Expect multi-orbit architectures that shift user loads in real time, enhancing redundancy and optimizing latency by application.

As bandwidth demand grows—projected to increase 10x by 2032, according to the Satellite Industry Association—only constellation-class networks such as ViaSat-3 will deliver sustainably on throughput, reach, and operational cost. This is not an incremental upgrade; it marks a foundational shift in how global connectivity is deployed and consumed.

Setting a New Standard: ULA and ViaSat Redefine the Commercial Launch Game

With the launch date for ViaSat-3 Flight 2 locked in and the Atlas V ready on the pad, United Launch Alliance is placing another marker in the history of commercial spaceflight. This mission isn’t just about deploying a satellite — it defines a technological and strategic inflection point for American aerospace leadership.

ViaSat is delivering data capacity at a scale the industry has never operated. The ViaSat-3 constellation, when complete, will deliver over 1 Terabit per second of network throughput globally, expanding connectivity from underserved regions to complex defense networks. Atlas V, with its unbroken record of success, ensures that ambition meets performance with minimal risk.

ULA’s ability to adapt the Atlas V to this high-stakes commercial mission speaks to its operational agility and engineering discipline. At a time when private satellite operators now demand ultra-reliable and timely access to orbit, this launch sets a new benchmark — one where capability, trustworthiness, and collaboration fuse into a new launch paradigm.

The broader impact? America's presence in low Earth orbit and geostationary ranges grows tighter, denser, and more commercially aligned. Capacity builds dominance, and this launch expands both.

Follow the Mission Live

Want to witness the moment Atlas V ignites beneath ViaSat-3? Follow the live broadcast and mission updates through ULA's official page. Get notifications, watch the countdown procedures, and track the rocket into orbit — all in real time.

This isn’t just another commercial launch. It's the frontier, redrawn.