Atlas V Rocket to Launch ViaSat-3 F2 Communications Satellite Tonight
The United Launch Alliance (ULA) is preparing to send the powerful ViaSat-3 F2 satellite into orbit tonight, November 6, following a one-day delay. The launch will take place from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida within a 44-minute window beginning at 10:16 p.m.
The spacecraft, weighing around 13,000 pounds (5,900 kilograms), will ride atop an Atlas V rocket. The mission was originally scheduled for November 5 but was postponed due to a technical issue with the rocket.
How to Watch the Launch
Live coverage will be available from ULA and Space.com, starting approximately 20 minutes before liftoff.
Flight and Orbit Details
If the mission proceeds as planned, the Atlas V will deploy ViaSat-3 F2 into a geostationary transfer orbit roughly 3.5 hours after takeoff. The satellite will then gradually move to its final geostationary orbit (GEO), located about 22,236 miles (35,786 kilometers) above Earth.
"Satellites in GEO ‘hover’ over the same region of Earth continuously, making this orbit ideal for communications and reconnaissance systems."
ViaSat-3 F2 is expected to begin providing broadband connectivity to users in early 2026.
Author’s Summary
The Atlas V rocket will launch the massive ViaSat-3 F2 satellite tonight after a short delay, marking another major step toward expanding global broadband coverage in 2026.