Boeing Delivers Powerful Satellite Platform to Viasat
March 21, 2023 | BoeingEstimated reading time: 1 minute
Boeing delivered the most powerful satellite platform the company has built to date, the 702MP+, a custom-designed spacecraft for network provider Viasat.
“Working with Boeing, we're very excited to complete the ViaSat-3 Americas and bring us one step closer to providing higher speeds, more bandwidth, and greater value to our customers on a global scale whether they be on land, on the sea, or in the air,” said Dave Ryan, president Space & Commercial Networks, Viasat. “The innovation of this satellite allows us new levels of flexibility to dynamically allocate capacity to the most attractive and engaged geographic markets.”
Upon embarking from the Boeing factory in California, ViaSat-3 Americas was flown to the Florida Space Coast where Boeing and Viasat teams will support launch and mission operations as the spacecraft prepares to travel to geostationary orbit, approximately 22,000 miles from Earth. Once in orbit, ViaSat-3 Americas will be the first of three 702MP+ satellites to make up the ultra-high-capacity ViaSat-3 satellite constellation, designed to provide high-quality, affordable global connectivity and coverage.
“We designed, built and delivered the most powerful satellite platform we have ever provided to a customer. The result really is an engineering marvel,” said Michelle Parker, vice president of Space Mission Systems at Boeing Defense, Space & Security. “We expanded the boundaries of our design and the platform components to exceed Viasat’s demanding mission requirements, while ensuring alignment with Boeing’s proven qualification and reliability standards.”
Based on the flight-proven 702 vehicle design hosting the U.S. Department of Defense’s Wideband Global Satellite (WGS) constellation, and more than 40 other high-performing satellites, including ViaSat-2, Boeing’s 702MP+ features all-electric propulsion for the first time aboard a 702MP, providing more sustained thrust and efficiency.
Boeing improved the platform’s structure to support Viasat’s large payload. The platform also accommodates the largest commercial satellite solar arrays Boeing-subsidiary Spectrolab has ever produced, along with batteries and supporting electronics, which generate well over 30 kW of solar power.
The satellite has some of the largest reflectors ever sent to space and will be significantly larger than most geostationary satellites, requiring highly-refined, highly reliable hardware and software to maintain optimal satellite control. In addition to designing and manufacturing the platform, Boeing worked with Viasat to integrate the payload.
Suggested Items
WHMA Announces New Board Officers and Members
03/28/2024 | IPCAt the 2024 WHMA Annual Global Leadership Summit on February 15, the WHMA Board of Directors welcomed three new officers and four new members. Board officers serve a three-year term and board members can serve two, three-year terms.
NCAB Promotes Arjan Sinoo to VP Global Sales
03/28/2024 | NCABArjan Sinoo, currently Managing Director of NCAB Group Benelux, has been promoted to the position of VP Global Sales and member of the Group Management of NCAB when he takes over the position from Howard Goff, who has recently been appointed VP and president North America.
American Standard Circuits Global Sourcing Division Opens Warehouse in West Chicago
03/26/2024 | American Standard CircuitsBob Duke, president of American Standard Circuits' Global Sourcing Division, announces the opening of a new 12,000-square-foot warehouse in West Chicago.
Global Beam Telecom Joins Viasat’s ELEVATE Program to Provide Remote Connectivity and Industrial IoT
03/26/2024 | InmarsatViasat, Inc., a global leader in satellite communications, announced Global Beam Telecom, a global satcom solutions provider, has joined its ELEVATE program.
Mycronic's Global Technologies Makes Acquisition in Germany
03/22/2024 | MycronicMycronic’s Global Technologies division has signed an agreement to acquire Vanguard Automation, a company headquartered in Karlsruhe, Germany, which has developed a technology and automated equipment for 3D microfabrication of optical interconnects.