ViaSat-3 F2 Satellite: Launch, Service Date and What Changed (Oct 2026)
ViaSat-3 F2 launched on November 13, 2025 and entered commercial service over the Americas on September 17, 2026. The October date in this page's URL reflects an earlier launch schedule, rather than an upcoming launch.
What happened to the October launch plan?
Viasat's September 2025 announcement scheduled F2 for late October 2025. Its subsequent launch announcement confirmed the satellite's successful launch in November. A planned launch date and an actual launch date are different milestones; the original October outlook is now historical.
Launch did not mean immediate customer service
After launch, a satellite needs deployment, positioning and commissioning before commercial service. Viasat announced F2's entry into service on September 17, 2026. Customers should use that service announcement, rather than the old launch forecast, when evaluating the satellite's current role.
Viasat identifies F2's service region as the Americas. Earlier fleet plans should not be used to describe a current regional assignment. Read what F2 entering service means for customers and ViaSat-3 coverage for related guidance.
What added capacity means for a household
F2 adds capacity to Viasat's network. Capacity is the amount of traffic the satellite and network can support collectively; it is not a promised speed for one customer. Your address-specific plan, equipment, local Wi-Fi and network conditions still affect the connection.
For orders through RSINC, our download commitment is at least 80 Mbps. Uploads can reach 3–5 Mbps, but that range is not a guaranteed minimum. RSINC usually sees downloads around 180 Mbps on Unleashed; that is our experience, and actual results vary.
Do not interpret the additional satellite as removing geostationary satellite latency. The signal still travels to and from a distant satellite. More network capacity and a shorter signal path are separate issues.
Check the plan available at your address
The current home lineup includes Essentials, Unleashed and Unleashed Max. Compare the complete offer, including equipment charges, promotional terms and data-management rules, in our Viasat pricing guide. An announcement about F2 does not automatically change the terms of an older account.
If you already have Viasat, ask support which plans are available for your service address and whether a change requires new equipment or an installation visit. Keep the written quote before accepting a change.