Atlas V Rocket Launches ViaSat-3 F2 Satellite After Delay
United Launch Alliance (ULA) is set to launch the ViaSat-3 F2 satellite tonight, November 6, after postponing the mission by one day. The powerful satellite weighs about 13,000 pounds (5,900 kilograms) and will lift off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.
Launch Details
The Atlas V rocket will launch within a 44-minute window starting at 10:16 p.m. Eastern Time. The initial launch attempt on November 5 was canceled due to a rocket issue. Live coverage will be available on Space.com and through ULA’s official channels, beginning approximately 20 minutes before liftoff.
Mission Goals and Orbit
About 3.5 hours after liftoff, the rocket is expected to release ViaSat-3 F2 into a geostationary transfer orbit. The satellite will then maneuver to a geostationary orbit (GEO), located 22,236 miles (35,786 kilometers) above Earth.
- In GEO, the satellite's orbital speed matches Earth's rotation.
- This allows it to remain fixed over a specific point on the planet continuously.
- Such orbits are favored for communications and surveillance satellites.
"Satellites in GEO therefore 'hover' over the same patch of Earth continuously, making it a popular destination for spy and communications craft."
ViaSat-3 F2 is expected to begin providing broadband services to customers in early 2026.
Author's summary: The Atlas V rocket will relaunch the 13,000-pound ViaSat-3 F2 satellite tonight after a delay, aiming to deliver high-speed broadband from geostationary orbit by early 2026.