VANDENBERG, Calif., August 12, 2024 – 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.”
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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 Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X or YouTube.
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Viasat, Inc. Contacts
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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.