Viasat’s newest satellite expects only 10% capacity after ‘event’

An unexpected issue with the Viasat-3 F1 satellite will not reach its full capacity after reflector deployment trouble; company remains optimistic

The Viasat-3 F1 satellite, seen here in Boeing’s high bay prior to April’s launch, suffered an “unexpected event” during its reflector deployment this summer. The company expects to salvage less than 10% of its one terabit capacity for service. Photo courtesy Viasat

CARLSBAD — Viasat suffered a significant setback when the first of its three-part satellite constellation endured a mechanical failure after it reached its orbital slot.

The satellite, known as VS-3 F1, was the first of three planned satellite launches to give the company global internet coverage. It experienced an “unexpected event” during the reflector deployment of the satellite, according to spokesperson Richard Jones.

F1 would cover the Americas with some coverage over the Atlantic Ocean, although the issues have reduced the satellite’s capacity to less than 10%, he said.

The F1 satellite launched in April on a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket. According to the company, the satellite cost $700 million to construct and will file a claim of at least $420 million insurance claim, according to media reports.

However, Jones said the company cannot comment on the amount of the insurance claim as they will finalize the claim once the root cause analysis has been completed with the satellite manufacturer. He said the analysis will be finalized in the coming weeks or months.