Space Norway's Arctic Satellite Broadband Mission
successfully launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, August 11,
2024 at 7.02pm PT.
The two satellites carry payloads that Viasat
aims to use to bring broadband connectivity to the Arctic from
polar orbits.
VANDENBERG, Calif.,
Aug. 12,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Viasat, Inc. (NASDAQ:
VSAT), a global leader in satellite communications, has confirmed
the Arctic Satellite Broadband Mission (ASBM) has successfully
launched from Vandenburg Space Force Base.
The mission, led by the Space Norway subsidiary Heosat, will see
two satellites deployed in a highly elliptical orbit (HEO) in the
world's first HEO mission carrying a broadband commercial service
payload. The two satellites – ASBM-1 and ASBM-2 – will host the
GX10A and GX10B Ka-band payloads, which Viasat will use to extend
the company's high-speed global network with dedicated Arctic
region coverage.
The satellites will be positioned into their orbit paths before
technical testing and integration. The GX10A and 10B payloads are expected to enter service in
early to mid calendar year 2025.
The Arctic has rapidly growing connectivity demand as
governments, commercial mobility customers and scientists continue
to look North. Once in service, these new payloads will expand the
coverage area served by Viasat, further strengthening the company's
global coverage capabilities with dedicated capacity for the Arctic
region.
Viasat is further expanding its high-speed broadband capacity
and capabilities for government and commercial mobility customers
with five new Ka-band satellites currently under construction,
which are expected to enter service during the course of the next
few years.
Mark Dickinson, Head of Space
Systems, Viasat, said: "We would like to thank Space
Norway and our project partners for their continued hard work,
collaboration, and vision to make this project a reality. I would
also like to thank our highly skilled experts. They will now focus
on bringing these payloads into service and creating the
flexibility, coverage, and connectivity our customers need –
wherever they operate."
Space Norway Program Director, Kjell-Ove Skare, said: "With the successful
launch of the ASBM satellites we are a major step closer to
providing broadband to civilian, government and military users in
the Arctic - which is the primary reason for this mission. This
common goal has been the driving factor for Viasat, as well as for
all parties involved in the ASBM program. It has truly been an
excellent collaborative effort."
About Viasat
Viasat is a global communications
company that believes everyone and everything in the world can be
connected. With offices in 24 countries around the world, our
mission shapes how consumers, businesses, governments and
militaries around the world communicate and connect. Viasat is
developing the ultimate global communications network to power
high-quality, reliable, secure, affordable, fast connections to
positively impact people's lives anywhere they are—on the ground,
in the air or at sea, while building a sustainable future in space.
In May 2023, Viasat completed its acquisition of Inmarsat,
combining the teams, technologies and resources of the two
companies to create a new global communications partner. Learn more
at www.viasat.com, the Viasat News Room or follow us on
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Copyright © 2024 Viasat, Inc. All rights reserved. Viasat,
the Viasat logo and the Viasat Signal are registered trademarks in
the U.S. and in other countries of Viasat, Inc. All other product
or company names mentioned are used for identification purposes
only and may be trademarks of their respective owners.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements that are
subject to the safe harbors created under the Securities Act of
1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking
statements include, among others, statements that refer to the
performance, capabilities and anticipated benefits of the GX10A and
GX10B satellite payloads, including the coverage area; the planned
commercial service entry of the GX10A and GX10B satellite payloads
in the first half of calendar year 2025; and the service entry
timing for the five additional Ka-band satellites currently under
construction. Readers are cautioned that actual results could
differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking
statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ
include: risks associated with the construction, launch and
operation of satellites, including the effect of any anomaly,
operational failure or degradation in satellite performance;
unexpected expenses or delays related to our satellite projects;
the ability to successfully implement our business plan for
broadband services on our anticipated timeline or at all;
contractual problems; product defects; manufacturing issues or
delays; the effect of adverse regulatory changes (including changes
affecting spectrum availability or permitted uses) on our ability
to sell or deploy our products and services; changes in the way
others use spectrum; our inability to access additional spectrum,
use spectrum for additional purposes, and/or operate satellites at
additional orbital locations; competing uses of the same spectrum
or orbital locations that we utilize or seek to utilize; and
technologies not being developed according to anticipated
schedules, or that do not perform according to expectations. In
addition, please refer to the risk factors contained in our SEC
filings available at www.sec.gov, including our most recent Annual
Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Readers are
cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking
statements, which speak only as of the date on which they are made.
We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking
statements for any reason.
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SOURCE Viasat, Inc.