Author Topic: SpaceX FH : Viasat-3 Americas (R): KSC LC-39A : 30 Apr/1 May 2023 (00:26 UTC)  (Read 202798 times)

Offline GWR64

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hm, SpaceNews article June 22, 2022
original version? in google webcache [June 24]

Quote
Viasat is a global provider of satellite broadband and is looking to sign up military customers for its new Viasat-3 geostationary constellation of three highcapacity satellites. The first ViaSat-3, projected to launch in early 2023, will cover the Americas, to be followed later in the year by a second satellite to service Europe, the Middle East and Africa. A third satellite will cover Asia.
https://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:laRwmAjMFQsJ:https://spacenews.com/dod-satcom-big-money-for-military-satellites-slow-shift-to-commercial-services/+&cd=14&hl=de&ct=clnk&gl=de&client=firefox-b-d

current version:
you can see that the section at the date for the second satellite doesn't make sense now, that's why I looked in the cache
Quote
Viasat is a global provider of satellite broadband and is looking to sign up military customers for its new Viasat-3 geostationary constellation of three highcapacity satellites. The first ViaSat-3, projected to launch in late 2022, will cover the Americas, to be followed later in the year by a second satellite to service Europe, the Middle East and Africa. A third satellite will cover Asia.

https://spacenews.com/dod-satcom-big-money-for-military-satellites-slow-shift-to-commercial-services/
« Last Edit: 06/25/2022 08:46 am by GWR64 »

Offline scr00chy

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Ben Cooper's site used to mention that the next FH launch could launch in September, but recently that mention has been removed entirely. So late 2022 sounds like it could be the new target for Viasat-3.

Online gongora

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There is another rideshare passenger on the flight.


https://twitter.com/pbdes/status/1542096503275196416
Quote
Indonesia asks for 8-month deadline extension to launch 16U cubesat into geo orbit on @SpaceX Falcon Heavy with @ViasatInc Viasat-3 Americas sat. @ITU #SpaceInventor #GravitySpace. https://bit.ly/3ytmwJd

Quote
Indonesia requests ITU deadline extension for Falcon Heavy launch of cubesat into geostationary orbit
written by Peter B. De Selding June 29, 2022
PARIS — The government of Indonesia, seeking to retain Ka- and Ku-band rights to a geostationary orbital slot through the temporary use of a 16U cubesat, is asking for an eight-month extension of the deadline to start operations following the satellite’s launch delay.

The satellite, which Indonesia calls Nusantara-H1-A, will be used by Indonesia for only three months, the regulatory minimum to “bring into use” (BIU) a satellite network. After that, it will move to another location.

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There is another rideshare passenger on the flight.

Quote
Indonesia asks for 8-month deadline extension to launch 16U cubesat into geo orbit on @SpaceX Falcon Heavy with @ViasatInc Viasat-3 Americas sat. @ITU #SpaceInventor #GravitySpace. https://bit.ly/3ytmwJd

Quote
Indonesia requests ITU deadline extension for Falcon Heavy launch of cubesat into geostationary orbit
written by Peter B. De Selding June 29, 2022
PARIS — The government of Indonesia, seeking to retain Ka- and Ku-band rights to a geostationary orbital slot through the temporary use of a 16U cubesat, is asking for an eight-month extension of the deadline to start operations following the satellite’s launch delay.

The satellite, which Indonesia calls Nusantara-H1-A, will be used by Indonesia for only three months, the regulatory minimum to “bring into use” (BIU) a satellite network. After that, it will move to another location.
Is the delayed satellite Satria?
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Online gongora

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Satria and Nusantara Lima are Ka-band.  This cubesat could be to hold some of the spectrum for Satria?  Or maybe for some other still unbuilt satellite.  GEO slots over Asia are hard to get these days, people that have one don't want to let it go.

edit:  The ITU filing for Nusantara-H1-A seems to be for a longitude of 116 degrees, and Satria is 146 degrees.
« Last Edit: 06/29/2022 06:26 pm by gongora »

Offline GWR64

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https://www.viasat.com/about/newsroom/press-releases/viasat-initiates-mechanical-integration-viasat-3/
Quote
Viasat Initiates Mechanical Integration on ViaSat-3

Satellite Enters Key Launch Configuration Integration Phase

CARLSBAD, Calif., Aug. 4, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Viasat Inc. (NASDAQ: VSAT), a global leader in satellite communications, announced today the first ViaSat-3 satellite is now in the mechanical environments build process. The process milestone involves the attachment of the solar arrays, reflectors and other items which will result in the satellite being in its full, launch configuration for the first time.

"Entering the mechanical environments build process is a very significant milestone toward completing the satellite and readying it for flight later this year," said Dave Ryan, president, Space & Commercial Networks at Viasat. "These efforts demonstrate our momentum to ready the satellite for launch."

The ViaSat-3 class of Ka-band satellites is expected to provide the best bandwidth economics in the industry with incredible flexibility to move and concentrate that capacity virtually anywhere there is demand - whether it is over land, the ocean or in the air. The first two satellites are planned to focus on the Americas and on EMEA, respectively. The third ViaSat-3 payload is undergoing final integration and testing and will focus on the Asia Pacific region, completing Viasat's global service coverage.
...

Offline vaporcobra

ViaSat now says that ViaSat-3 sats will weigh "5600-6000 kg" and will be "the lightest satellites that Viasat has ever launched."

Somewhat cryptically, they also note in the same blog post that the "service launch [of the first satellite] to support commercial services is anticipated in the first quarter of 2023." Assuming SpaceX is still planning on a direct GEO launch, that seems to imply another launch delay.

https://www.viasat.com/about/newsroom/blog/faq--what-is-viasat-3-/

Offline crandles57

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Isn't that the same delay announced 31 May 2022 for around six weeks
https://www.lightreading.com/opticalip-networks/viasat-3-satellite-service-launch-slips-to-early-2023/d/d-id/777910
or via 10K page 5
https://investors.viasat.com/static-files/48d52cb0-c697-46eb-bb42-9bbdd31b0a7e
Quote
The upcoming launch of the ViaSat-3 (Americas) satellite is anticipated to support the commencement of commercial service on the satellite in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2023
Note "fourth quarter of fiscal year 2023" = Q1 2023 as they have March 31 year end.


There was a feb delay that put it to late summer.

late summer + 6 weeks + some extra ground testing rather than in space
seems like I would suggest Q4 20232 for the launch so that it can start service in q1 2023.

Not sure where the "late 2022" comes from on this thread. It could be the 8 month extension for Nusantara but you might ask for an 8 month extension if you are currently expecting launch to be NET 4 months after the deadline in case there are further delays so you don't get a proper NET date by adding 8 months to the deadline.
« Last Edit: 08/06/2022 12:26 pm by crandles57 »

Offline scr00chy

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Not sure where the "late 2022" comes from on this thread.

It's from this Space News article:

Quote
The first ViaSat-3, projected to launch in late 2022, will cover the Americas, to be followed later in the year by a second satellite to service Europe, the Middle East and Africa. A third satellite will cover Asia.
« Last Edit: 08/06/2022 12:39 pm by scr00chy »

Online gongora

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Service launch is when they start serving customers, which can be months after it goes into orbit (even if it's being launched to GEO)

Offline GWR64

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Isn't that the same delay announced 31 May 2022 for around six weeks
https://www.lightreading.com/opticalip-networks/viasat-3-satellite-service-launch-slips-to-early-2023/d/d-id/777910
or via 10K page 5
https://investors.viasat.com/static-files/48d52cb0-c697-46eb-bb42-9bbdd31b0a7e
Quote
The upcoming launch of the ViaSat-3 (Americas) satellite is anticipated to support the commencement of commercial service on the satellite in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2023
Note "fourth quarter of fiscal year 2023" = Q1 2023 as they have March 31 year end.


There was a feb delay that put it to late summer.

late summer + 6 weeks + some extra ground testing rather than in space
seems like I would suggest Q4 20232 for the launch so that it can start service in q1 2023.

Not sure where the "late 2022" comes from on this thread. It could be the 8 month extension for Nusantara but you might ask for an 8 month extension if you are currently expecting launch to be NET 4 months after the deadline in case there are further delays so you don't get a proper NET date by adding 8 months to the deadline.

https://www.viasat.com/about/newsroom/press-releases/viasat-initiates-mechanical-integration-viasat-3/
Quote
Viasat Initiates Mechanical Integration on ViaSat-3

Satellite Enters Key Launch Configuration Integration Phase

CARLSBAD, Calif., Aug. 4, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Viasat Inc. (NASDAQ: VSAT), a global leader in satellite communications, announced today the first ViaSat-3 satellite is now in the mechanical environments build process. The process milestone involves the attachment of the solar arrays, reflectors and other items which will result in the satellite being in its full, launch configuration for the first time.

"Entering the mechanical environments build process is a very significant milestone toward completing the satellite and readying it for flight later this year," said Dave Ryan, president, Space & Commercial Networks at Viasat. "These efforts demonstrate our momentum to ready the satellite for launch."

...

When the satellite is fully assembled there will be a few more tests so it will be ready for shipping in maybe 2 or 3 months I guess. Then drive a week to florida. 4 weeks of launch preparation.
So "late 2022" sounds plausible to me.
« Last Edit: 08/07/2022 06:20 pm by GWR64 »

Online gongora

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https://twitter.com/pbdes/status/1557087686703333377
Quote
.@ViasatInc: Aero connectivity driving record services rev; US, Euro fixed broadband down, Brazil up; Viasat-3 on track for Q4 launch; we can lease, not buy, low-latency options; no comment on @SpaceX Starlink effect on US business.
@Eutelsat_SA @OneWeb. https://bit.ly/3bPb41M

Offline crandles57

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I would say Q4 is the official line per letter to shareholders:

https://investors.viasat.com/static-files/dc52e5ee-f094-4e7e-9a31-d380a4bb9bd2

Quote
We continue to target launch of ViaSat-3 (Americas) in Q3 FY2023 with commencement of commercial service in
early Q4 FY2023.

(Due to 31 March year end Fiscal year 2023 Q3 is Q4 of calendar year 2022.)

May well also turn out to be late 2022, but the official line appears to be Q4 2022.

Online gongora

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Viasat doesn't seem real happy with Boeing's performance.  Requesting extension of FCC launch and operation milestone to April 30, which should be routinely approved.

Offline gemmy0I

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Viasat doesn't seem real happy with Boeing's performance.  Requesting extension of FCC launch and operation milestone to April 30, which should be routinely approved.
Wow, you're not kidding about "doesn't seem real happy" (bold emphasis mine):  :o
Quote from: Viasat extension application
Despite Viasat’s diligent efforts, Boeing has been unable or unwilling to consistently address staffing shortages, delaying its ability to complete the final stages of the ViaSat-3 construction process. In addition, there have been numerous intermittent and unpredictable COVID-19-related changes to working conditions in the Boeing factory, which have had the effect of impeding or slowing work on the ViaSat-3 construction process. These public health directives have been issued by Los Angeles County authorities and have driven increased inefficiencies in the construction process.

Notably, Boeing has been a leading provider of complex commercial spacecraft, including ViaSat-2, and has had a good reputation for its technical and programmatic performance. Accordingly, there was no reason for Viasat to anticipate Boeing’s poor schedule performance at the outset of the program. Once this became apparent, Viasat deployed additional teams of experts to Boeing’s facilities to directly supervise and direct work, which has resulted in better schedule performance.
They could have left it at "Boeing has been unable to consistently address staffing shortages" and the application would've been none the weaker for it (and perhaps stronger) as far as the FCC is concerned. As you noted, these things are routinely approved; and their case for an extension here is a no-brainer on multiple levels. (They probably could have said enough in just one page, rather than four, to make a convincing case.)

That they felt the need to pointedly say "unable or unwilling" in this official document sounds like they're hoppin' mad at Boeing and, furthermore, that their negotiations with them have broken down to the point that they feel it benefits them to put this spat into the public record via government proceedings - presumably to increase pressure on Boeing.

The reference to "public health directives...issued by Los Angeles County authorities" is also interesting. I was under the impression that the worst of the "intermittent and unpredictable...changes to working conditions" were largely a thing of the past by now (even in LA County). The most stringent productivity-killing restrictions have been unwound in most jurisdictions by now, and companies have largely figured out how to live with those that remain. "Delayed because COVID" is getting to be a weaker and weaker excuse for companies nowadays. Especially since the delays Viasat speaks of in its filing seem to be ongoing in the current environmental testing phase of the satellite's construction, i.e. they are happening under current health restriction conditions, not those of a year or two ago which were much stricter.

I wonder if what they mean by "unable or unwilling" is that Boeing is using LA County's ongoing health guidance statements (not necessarily legal mandates at this point) as "cover" to drag their feet on the ViaSat-3 work, perhaps to prioritize workforce elsewhere or because they have some other strategic reason to slow down the project. E.g. to try to extort Viasat for an extra "pandemic relief" payment for "schedule assurance" on the presumably fixed-price contract. Using their own lateness as an excuse to ask for more money is a well-known Boeing strategy, as attempted several times (some of them successfully) with Starliner...

Ironically, Viasat goes on, in the subsequent three pages of the filing, to make their own case for a rather histrionic "delayed because COVID and there was absolutely nothing we could do about it" excuse to the FCC, mirroring the very excuses they found inadequate from Boeing. ::) They probably could have gotten away with saying a lot less since these extensions are routine (it's not like they were hard to get before the pandemic)...but hey, lawyers gonna lawyer... ;)

Bigger-picture, Boeing sure seems to be losing any talent it once had for actually trying to do things on time and as promised. When making excuses for dragging things out becomes a way of life for a company, it's got to be hard to "switch that off", culturally, for projects that happen to be in competitive markets (like commercial GEO comsats). They certainly seem to have burned some bridges with Viasat here. I'm sure Maxar, Northrop, Thales and Airbus will be happy to take up the slack...

Offline GWR64

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Viasat doesn't seem real happy with Boeing's performance.  Requesting extension of FCC launch and operation milestone to April 30, which should be routinely approved.
Viasat bark very loudly.
Viasat delivered the payload for this first Viasat-3 satellite to Boeing at the beginning of June 2021.
https://news.viasat.com/blog/scn/first-viasat-3-satellites-journey-to-space-starts-with-a-road-trip
The previous schedule was no longer achievable at that time.
If the first satellite is hopefully launched towards the end of the year, another 1.5 years would have passed at Boeing.
Maybe it was expected to go a little faster, but this is a complex satellite.

The payload for the second satellite was shipped to Boeing in early July 2022.
https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=46324.msg2393674#msg2393674
The extendet ITU deadline for Viasat-3 EMEA operational is July 29, 2023.
https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=46324.msg2362243#msg2362243
Until then, Boeing should mating and test the satellite, transport and launch preparation, launch with an Atlas V 551 into a good GTO 1200 m/s or so, climb to the GEO with ion engines, commissioning of the satellite.
I doubt that's achievable.
And Boeing, after Viasat wrote this text, probably will not working through the weekends.
« Last Edit: 08/21/2022 08:06 am by GWR64 »

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Cross-post from the SES-20/21 launch thread:
https://boeing.mediaroom.com/news-releases-statements?item=131127#assets_20295_131127-117

Quote
Boeing Delivers Two Commercial Satellites to SES for ULA Launch

- First Boeing commercial satellites delivered since pandemic
<snip>
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Offline scr00chy

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ViaSat-3 Achieves Flight Configuration

Quote
The ViaSat-3 satellite has now entered the mechanical environmental testing process, simulating the vibration and acoustic environments that the satellite will experience during the launch and early transfer orbit phases of its mission, in preparation for launch later this year.

I'm not sure how long this testing usually takes but launching this year seems tight (unless USSF-67 gets pushed into next year).
« Last Edit: 09/29/2022 12:47 pm by scr00chy »

Online gongora

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I'm not sure how long this testing usually takes but launching this year seems tight (unless USSF-67 gets pushed into next year).

I would guess this isn't flying before December now.  If USSF-67 reuses boosters from -44 then I seriously doubt it flies before the end of the year.

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SFN, After a three-year wait, SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy could launch again later this month, October 5
Quote
Viasat said last week that its first of three Viasat 3-series internet broadband satellites, booked to launch on a Falcon Heavy toward geosynchronous orbit, is scheduled to lift off before the end of the year. But industry sources said the first Viasat 3 launch, already delayed by supply chain issues that affected satellite and payload manufacturing, could delay into early 2023.
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Tags: viasat-3 ussf-44 
 

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