SpaceX FH: ViaSat-3 F3 : KSC LC-39A : NET Late-April 2026

[GewoonLukas_]

Discussion thread for the launch of ViaSat-3 F3 on a Falcon Heavy from LC-39A. Launch is scheduled for NET Late-April.

Launch vehicle was switched from Ariane 64 to Falcon Heavy.

0062-EX-ST-2026 [Jan 9]

Short duration satellite Telemetry and Command RF Functional Check at the launch site facility and in the fairing.

Start Date: 03/27/2026
End Date: 09/27/2026

Bus: 702MP+

Locations:
SpaceX Falcon Heavy Launch Pad SLC 39A
Kennedy Space Center (KSC), FL
28-36-30.2 N, 80-36-15.6 W

SpaceX Processing Facility
Cape Canaveral SFS, FL
28-29-20.9 N, 80-35-1.5 W

Could this be Viasat-3 F3?

SFN [Oct 1]

This spacecraft, which will serve the Asia-Pacific region, was originally scheduled to launch on an Ariane 6 rocket, but due to delays with that rocket’s debut Viasat decided to put out another bid for launch proposals.

To date, Viasat has not publicly announced which rocket will carry its ViaSat-3 F3 satellite.

702MP+ satellite bus was designed exclusively for ViaSat-3, which confirms this is ViaSat-3 F3.

[DanClemmensen]

Is there any issue with launching FH from LC-39A while SLS/Orion is sitting on LC-39B?

[Galactic Penguin SST]

Is there any issue with launching FH from LC-39A while SLS/Orion is sitting on LC-39B?

Why?
Looking back during the Artemis I flow SpaceX regularly from 39A around the former's several launch attempts in August-November 2022.

[DanClemmensen]

Is there any issue with launching FH from LC-39A while SLS/Orion is sitting on LC-39B?

Why?
Looking back during the Artemis I flow SpaceX regularly from 39A around the former's several launch attempts in August-November 2022.

Don't know why. That's why I asked. FH is bigger and noisier, and Artemis II is crewed. I don't see a reason either of these things would affect the sharing of LC-39, but I'm not NASA.

[catdlr]

Is there any issue with launching FH from LC-39A while SLS/Orion is sitting on LC-39B?

Why?
Looking back during the Artemis I flow SpaceX regularly from 39A around the former's several launch attempts in August-November 2022.

Don't know why. That's why I asked. FH is bigger and noisier, and Artemis II is crewed. I don't see a reason either of these things would affect the sharing of LC-39, but I'm not NASA.

What's the issue?  FH is launching in April, Artimus is in Feb.  FH will be in the barn getting integrated.

[DanClemmensen]

Is there any issue with launching FH from LC-39A while SLS/Orion is sitting on LC-39B?

Why?
Looking back during the Artemis I flow SpaceX regularly from 39A around the former's several launch attempts in August-November 2022.

Don't know why. That's why I asked. FH is bigger and noisier, and Artemis II is crewed. I don't see a reason either of these things would affect the sharing of LC-39, but I'm not NASA.

What's the issue?  FH is launching in April, Artimus is in Feb.  FH will be in the barn getting integrated.

We all hope Artemis II will launch on schedule, but it is not guaranteed. First Artemis I attempt was August 29 2022. It launched on November 16. The initial attempt had already been delayed multiple times.

[catdlr]

Is there any issue with launching FH from LC-39A while SLS/Orion is sitting on LC-39B?

Why?
Looking back during the Artemis I flow SpaceX regularly from 39A around the former's several launch attempts in August-November 2022.

Don't know why. That's why I asked. FH is bigger and noisier, and Artemis II is crewed. I don't see a reason either of these things would affect the sharing of LC-39, but I'm not NASA.

What's the issue?  FH is launching in April, Artimus is in Feb.  FH will be in the barn getting integrated.

We all hope Artemis II will launch on schedule, but it is not guaranteed. First Artemis I attempt was August 29 2022. It launched on November 16. The initial attempt had already been delayed multiple times.

Then it might be an issue if it's delayed. Let's cross that bridge when it comes. No need to get worried about something that isn't.

[AndrewM]

ViaSat Form 8-K [Jan. 21]

“ViaSat-3 Launch Services Agreements” shall mean (a) the Launch Services Agreement–Single Launch, dated as of October 18, 2018, by and between the Viasat VS3 Holdings Limited and Space Exploration Technologies Corp., (as amended by that, certain Amendment #1, dated as of April 17, 2020 and Amendment #2, dated as of May 12, 2022 and as assigned to the Borrower pursuant to the Launch Services Agreement Assignment, dated January 25, 2023), for the launch of the ViaSat-3 Satellite and related services and (b) the Launch Services Agreement, dated as of January 21, 2026, by and between the Guarantor and the Borrower, for the launch of the ViaSat-3 Satellite and related services.

[zubenelgenubi]

Will all three Falcon Heavy first stages be expended, as on ViSat-3.1?
Do we have any idea yet of the boosters assigned?

[alexthespacebot]

Will all three Falcon Heavy first stages be expended, as on ViSat-3.1?
Do we have any idea yet of the boosters assigned?

Likely, since this satellite are similar to the satellite launched on Viasat-3 Americas.

[GewoonLukas_]

Viasat finally confirmed this is launching on Falcon Heavy in their latest shareholder letter: https://investors.viasat.com/static-files/f83528ad-3716-4b74-93b8-2653f0e38a5f

[...]

VS-3 F2 launched in early November, completed initial deployments and is just over a month from being on station. Final deployments commence soon thereafter, giving us confidence in our expectations for service entry by May. VS-3 F3 is undergoing final integration and is anticipated to launch on a Falcon Heavy shortly after VS-3 F2 final deployments are complete, pending a specific launch date from SpaceX, with estimated service entry by late summer.

[...]

[GWR64]

Will all three Falcon Heavy first stages be expended, as on ViSat-3.1?
Do we have any idea yet of the boosters assigned?

Hi,

I don't believe that. It's possible this has already been discussed. Despite searching extensively, I only found this source now:
https://runwaygirlnetwork.com/2025/02/viasat-optimizes-ifc-capacity-with-cross-roaming-third-parties/

Viasat chairman and CEO Mark Dankberg explained the change in the F3 or Flight 3 schedule, noting that the Flight 3 manufacturing and test schedule outlook are unchanged from last quarter “but given our significantly increased coverage and capacity resources we’ve chosen a less capital intensive launch configuration that slightly extends the orbit raising time and will likely shift the in-service date into calendar 2026.”

That was a year ago now, and the launch of Viasat-3 F3 has been further delayed. So things may have changed again.

Of the used side boosters, 1072 and the converted 1075 still exist? otherwise new

[StraumliBlight]

Hi,

I don't believe that. It's possible this has already been discussed. Despite searching extensively, I only found this source now:
https://runwaygirlnetwork.com/2025/02/viasat-optimizes-ifc-capacity-with-cross-roaming-third-parties/

Viasat chairman and CEO Mark Dankberg explained the change in the F3 or Flight 3 schedule, noting that the Flight 3 manufacturing and test schedule outlook are unchanged from last quarter “but given our significantly increased coverage and capacity resources we’ve chosen a less capital intensive launch configuration that slightly extends the orbit raising time and will likely shift the in-service date into calendar 2026.”

That was a year ago now, and the launch of Viasat-3 F3 has been further delayed. So things may have changed again.

Of the used side boosters, 1072 and the converted 1075 still exist? otherwise new

It was discussed here in the Viasat F2 thread. At that time it was manifested on Atlas V 551.

[GWR64]

It was discussed here in the Viasat F2 thread. At that time it was manifested on Atlas V 551.

In my opinion, this was a false assumption because the launch order was supposed to be reversed.
Viasat-3 F2 (formerly EMEA) should always launch on Atlas V. Viasat-3 F3 is a different satellite than F1 and F2.

[avialuh]

Will all three Falcon Heavy first stages be expended, as on ViSat-3.1?
Do we have any idea yet of the boosters assigned?

B1098 is the center core. Expecting B1072 to be the MY side. The PY side is currently unknown, but i'm personally expecting B1102, B1104 or possibly even B1075 though i heavily doubt that one. Side cores will be recovered by the looks of it, otherwise they'd have to expend B1072 on it's 2nd flight and they seem to want to use it for more flights

[Martin_G]

B1075 hasn't been used for more than 3 months, so could this be kind of an indication?

[avialuh]

B1075 hasn't been used for more than 3 months, so could this be kind of an indication?

Mere coincidence in my opinion. We know B1075 has been moved to the Cape though I believe this is to be expended, not to fly as FH. B1076 which also had a FH livery sat around for 8 months prior to being expended.
They seem to be expending the boosters that were set to fly as FH at some point, first B1073, then B1076 and now B1075 seems next

[catdlr]

B1075 hasn't been used for more than 3 months, so could this be kind of an indication?

Mere coincidence in my opinion. We know B1075 has been moved to the Cape though I believe this is to be expended, not to fly as FH. B1076 which also had a FH livery sat around for 8 months prior to being expended.
They seem to be expending the boosters that were set to fly as FH at some point, first B1073, then B1076 and now B1075 seems next

See if this helps:

https://twitter.com/Falcon9Watchers/status/2020348642834407681

[GewoonLukas_]

Ben Cooper (Updated March 10, 2026):
https://www.launchphotography.com/Launch_Viewing_Guide.html

The next Falcon Heavy will launch the ViaSat-3 F3 communication satellite on late April.