Scott Nicholas
A Viasat-developed satellite has arrived at its intended geostationary orbit and started in-orbit testing which covers the transmission and reception of data from the satellite to a Viasat-built ground segment.
Viasat said Tuesday the ViaSat-2 satellite will undergo in-orbit tests then begin commercial service in February 2018 and support the delivery of enterprise, government, residential and in-flight internet services for clients.
The ViaSat-2 platform utilized a hybrid propulsion approach and was deployed onboard an Arianespace-built rocket from Kourou, French Guiana on June 1.
Boeing, a spacecraft partner of Viasat, monitored and operated ViaSat-2 throughout its orbit raising process and helped control the satellite from a mission control center in El Segundo, California.
Mark Dankberg, Viasat chairman and CEO, said the ViaSat-2 platform will look to offer high-speed, high-quality broadband services for clients at a greater geographic reach.
Viasat noted ViaSat-2 was able to support the streaming of content days after the platform arrived at its geostationary orbit.
The satellite has also transitioned into an earth pointing orbit normal mode, added Viasat.
