ViaSat-2 was launched by
Arianespace from Kourou,
French Guiana, on
June 1,
2017. The ViaSat-2
satellite employed a hybrid
propulsion approach, using both
traditional chemical as well as
electric propulsion. The
chemical propulsion subsystem
was responsible for initial
orbit raising and performed
according to plan, setting the
stage for the follow-on ascent
to geostationary orbit using
electric propulsion, which was
completed last week. Viasat
spacecraft partner, Boeing
Satellite Systems International,
controlled and monitored
ViaSat-2 throughout the orbit
raising process, flying the
satellite from its Mission
Control Center in
El Segundo, California.
Following completion of the
in-orbit tests, the ViaSat-2
satellite is scheduled to enter
commercial service in
February
2018, where it will
enable the delivery of advanced
residential, enterprise,
government and in-flight
internet services.
Successful Data
Transmission from Space
Within days of reaching its
geostationary orbit, the Viasat
team was successfully
transmitting data to and from
the ViaSat-2 satellite, as well
as streaming content providing
an early demonstration of the
satellite's power and
flexibility.
"This is a great achievement
for the Viasat team, our
customers and our partners,"
said
Mark
Dankberg, chairman
and CEO, Viasat. "The ViaSat-2
system is the culmination of
years of hard work and
commitment to bringing a
satellite platform to market
that can deliver truly
high-speed, high-quality
broadband to many more people,
and with a much greater
geographic reach. We're another
step closer to bringing the
ViaSat-2 satellite into
service."
