ViaSat – Spaceflight Now

SpaceX launches 6-ton ViaSat-3 F3 satellite on Falcon Heavy rocket

April 29, 2026 Will Robinson-Smith

The mission was the 12th launch of a Falcon Heavy rocket to date. The rocket lifted off from pad 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center at 10:13 a.m. EDT (1413 UTC) on Wednesday, April 29.

Launch preview: SpaceX seeks second attempt at Falcon Heavy launch following weather scrub on Monday

April 28, 2026 Will Robinson-Smith

The mission will send the ViaSat-3 F3 satellite to a geosynchronous transfer orbit. Liftoff from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center is scheduled for 10:13 a.m. EDT (1413 UTC), at the opening of an 85-minute window.

SpaceX scrubs Falcon Heavy launch of final ViaSat-3 satellite due to poor weather

April 27, 2026 Will Robinson-Smith

This will be the 12th launch of a Falcon Heavy rocket to date and the first use of Landing Zone 2 and Landing Zone 40 simultaneously. A new launch date from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center is being determined.

Blue Origin launches twin Mars probes for NASA as New Glenn makes first landing

November 13, 2025 William Harwood

Blue Origin launched its second heavy-lift New Glenn rocket Thursday, putting two small NASA satellites onto a long, looping course to Mars to learn more about how the sun has slowly blown away the red planet’s once thick atmosphere.

ULA launches ViaSat-3 following valve replacement on Atlas 5 rocket

November 13, 2025 Will Robinson-Smith

The mission was the second of three planned spacecraft that Viasat plans to operate in geostationary orbit. United Launch Alliance launched from pad 41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station at 10:04 p.m. EST (0304 UTC).

Launch preview: Blue Origin to launch NASA’s ESCAPADE following scrubs from clouds, space weather

November 13, 2025 Will Robinson-Smith

Blue Origin was able to secure permission from the Federal Aviation Administration for a daytime launch attempt while the emergency order constraining commercial launches remains in place even after the end of the government shutdown. Liftoff is scheduled during an 88-minute-long window that opens at 2:57 p.m. EST (1957 UTC).

NASA scrubs ESCAPADE launch due to ‘highly elevated solar activity’

November 11, 2025 Will Robinson-Smith

Blue Origin was able to secure permission from the Federal Aviation Administration for a daytime launch attempt while the emergency order constraining commercial launches remains in place during the government shutdown. However, the solar storms are forcing Blue Origin and NASA to find a new launch opportunity.

Issue with Atlas 5 booster liquid oxygen vent valve causes second scrub of ViaSat-3 F2 launch

November 6, 2025 Spaceflight Now

United Launch Alliance scrubbed a second launch attempt for an Atlas 5 rocket carrying the ViaSat-3 F2 satellite. A new launch date hasn’t been announced.

Atlas booster valve issue scrubs launch of ViaSat-3 F2 satellite

November 5, 2025 Will Robinson-Smith

The mission is the second of three planned spacecraft that Viasat plans to operate in geostationary orbit. United Launch Alliance is targeting liftoff from pad 41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station no earlier than Thursday, Nov. 6, at 10:16 p.m. EST (0316 UTC).

ViaSat-3 F2 satellite arrives in Florida ahead of late October launch

October 1, 2025 Will Robinson-Smith

The spacecraft will launch onboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 551 rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. It’s built on Boeing’s 702MP+ satellite bus.