Viasat-3 Americas Satellite Launches April 30, 2023

Viasat, Inc. and SpaceX are celebrating the successful launch of the new Viasat-3 Americas satellite on April 30, 2023 from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. Falcon Heavy lifted off at 8:26 p.m. Eastern with Viasat-3 Americas and two smaller satellites in the payload. The two side boosters on Falcon Heavy separated from the core three minutes from lift-off. Americas 3 is the first in a constellation of three new satellites from Viasat. It is now in orbit serving North and South America with more internet coverage at faster speeds.

The new Ka-band broadband communications satellites from Viasat, Inc. will increase coverage in more rural and remote areas and will enhance coverage in new areas including significant portions of South America. The new satellite is expected to significantly improve satellite internet performance for existing Viasat customers.

Viasat-3 Americas launched on Sunday evening April 30, 2023 from Launch Complex 39A at NASA Kennedy Space Center near Merritt Island, FL. It was most recently for an earlier date in April but there were weather-related delays and equipment changes. Testing for Falcon Heavy earlier in April indicated that two engines should be replaced for first-stage flight. This work was completed on time.

This flight was number six for Falcon Heavy. Weather conditions were majority-positive for the day but there was a 40% chance of weather violating launch criteria, specifically with rules for anvil and cumulus clouds. With a 24-hour delay to April 28th conditions were set for 60% go for launch. Conditions were in fact a go on the 27th and launch took place.

Falcon Heavy is 70 meters tall and has a diameter of 12.2 meters. At this size, and with its power, it can easily carry the Viasat-3 Americas satellite that weighs approximately 14,110 pounds. The only other rocket with a higher payload capacity is NASA’s own Space Launch System. After liftoff it took approximately 3.5 minutes for Falcon Heavy to reach the space threshold 60 miles above Earth. Falcon X reached an orbital speed of 16,500 mph within about 8 minutes of launch.

Falcon Heavy set Viasat-3 directly into geostationary orbit 22,236 miles above Earth. After separation from the satellite payload Falcon Heavy’s main booster reversed the rocket’s course. The re-entry burn was followed by the landing burn for low-altitude deceleration and touchdown. Falcon Heavy will be transported back to the launch hanger to be prepped for its next mission.

Viasat-3 Americas is now in geostationary transfer orbit where it will provide broadband internet from an orbital slot at 88.9 degrees west longitude.

The Viasat 3 constellation comprises three Ka-band satellites that can adjust to move and concentrate bandwidth capacity to areas of high demand on land, sea or air. Viasat is a global broadband provider of satellites and security networks for consumers, businesses, governments and the military.