What Happened to Viasat’s New Satellite?

On May 1, 2023, the much-anticipated launch of the ViaSat-3 Americas satellite took place. The new satellite was carried into space aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket from Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A) at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. It was the first of three new ViaSat-3 satellites and would greatly increase capacity for satellite internet customers. The first satellite would cover the Americas, then the next would serve Europe, The Middle East and Africa, and the third would cover Asia and the Pacific. The new constellation had finally entered into deployment.

Viasat-3 Americas was carried into space. It was set into a near-geosynchronous (GEO) orbit at an altitude of approximately 34,600 kilometers or 21,499 miles above the Earth. Once a telecommunications satellite gets deployed it typically undergoes a series of tests and checks before it is declared ready for operational service. Antennas, solar panels and other components are deployed. Unfortunately, something went terribly wrong with the deployment of the antenna.

The large mesh antenna, constructed by Northrop Grumman failed permanently. This antenna, akin to a vast canopy, needs to extend away from the satellite's body while remaining connected and secure. The cause of the failure is unclear – whether it was due to a broken arm releasing the antenna into space, a malfunction in the mesh, or another issue, details are expected to be forthcoming. Space conditions are notoriously harsh, encompassing extreme temperatures, a profound vacuum, atomic oxygen, radiation, and the risk of debris impact. Although the antenna was tested against these conditions, our understanding of space and material behavior in such an environment is still evolving. It is hoped that insights gained from this incident will inform future satellite development and deployment.

The satellite's functionality without the antenna remains uncertain.

Will This Hurt Service to Viasat’s Customers?

The failure is unlikely to affect Viasat's existing customers, but it raises concerns about the company's ability to expand its customer base in other global regions. This incident serves as a reminder of the inherent uncertainties of space exploration; any malfunction in space is a serious matter. Viasat and HughesNet rely on enormous satellites, comparable in size to trucks or jumbo jets, meaning the risk is concentrated in single units. In contrast, newer competitors like Starlink, OneWeb, and Project Kuiper deploy hundreds or thousands of smaller satellites, some about the size of a dishwasher, offering layers of redundancy to safeguard against service interruptions. Nonetheless, any satellite issue, regardless of size, is a cause for concern and an opportunity for learning.

How Did This Impact Viasat Financially?

The Viasat-3 incident led to a large selloff of Viasat stock. Investors are reactive. Viasat has shown buoyancy and the ability to recover provided there isn’t a repeat. Viasat continues to expand its global footprint and invest in next-generation satellite technology, which should help it rebound. Viasat has several other revenue streams besides residential satellite internet service; these include government and defense contracts, in-flight connectivity service, and maritime solutions. While operations and growth remain strong, the company will need to demonstrate it can launch its next Viasat-3 satellite successfully. Whether the deployment will be as planned over Europe, the Middle East and Africa; or, be re-routed to serve the Americas, is not yet known. Provided Viasat can execute well on future launches it should regain momentum and move past this incident.

What Does This Mean for Satellite Internet

The satellite industry includes risks inherent in satellite technology and deployment. The world needs more internet connectivity options and satellites have long been identified as powerful means of bringing much more of the globe online. Satellite development will move forward. It’s possible that the Viasat-3 Americas accident will lead to more stringent requirements for future satellite projects.