ViaSat, a broadband services and technology company, announced the launch of its ViaSat-2 satellite aboard an Arianespace Ariane 5 ECA launch vehicle.
The Ariane 5 ECA carrying ViaSat-2 lifted off on June 1 at 4:45 pm PDT from the Guiana Space Center, located in Kourou, French Guiana.
Approximately 29 minutes after liftoff, ViaSat-2 mission was underway with the satellite separating from the launch vehicle. First signals from the satellite were acquired shortly thereafter through a ground station at Hassan, India.
The company said ViaSat-2 will start orbit raising with its chemical propulsion system, followed by solar array deployments, and will switch over to its electric propulsion system to complete orbit raising over the coming months. ViaSat expects it will take several months for ViaSat-2 to reach its final orbital destination, located at 69.9° west longitude.
ViaSat-2 geostationary satellite, which operates in Ka-band frequencies, is designed to offer high-capacity connectivity and wide coverage.
The technology company said ViaSat-2 will significantly improve speeds, reduce costs and expand the footprint of broadband across North America, Central America, the Caribbean, a portion of northern South America, as well as the primary aeronautical and maritime routes across the Atlantic Ocean between North America and Europe.
“The innovations in our ViaSat-2 spacecraft and underlying network will enable us to be one step closer to connecting the world, and delivering new higher speed fixed and mobility services that will continue to compete with traditional broadband services,” ViaSat’s CEO Mark Dankberg.
“ViaSat has put their trust in Boeing to build and deliver their satellite with advanced capabilities that will help ViaSat connect millions through high-speed broadband service,” said Mark Spiwak, president, Boeing Satellite Systems International.
