A rendering of the ViaSat-3 constellation. Photo: Viasat
Viasat has pushed back the launch of its first ViaSat-3 satellite, and does not expect to launch the satellite until early 2022. CEO Rick Baldridge said during the company’s Third Quarter (Q3) 2021 financial report call on Thursday that work on the program has been hindered by a wave of COVID-19 cases in Arizona. Viasat is preparing to deliver the first satellite payload to
Boeing, which will begin the final phase of the countdown to launch readiness.
“We continue to make really good progress on the program and we’re moving closer to delivery of the first payload. The record COVID spikes seen in the quarter, especially in Arizona where our payload facilities are located … haven’t worked in our favor. They’ve caused some intermittent work delays both internally and with our supply chain in the recent quarter,” Baldridge said.