ViaSat-3 F2 Launch Delayed by 24 Hours
ViaSat's second satellite in its fleet expansion, ViaSat-3 F2, has experienced a launch delay of one day. The satellite was initially scheduled for liftoff on the late evening of November 5th from Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral aboard a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket.
James Whelan, ULA Launch Director, announced the hold on countdown operations due to a technical issue. The problem arose when cycling the liquid oxygen tank vent valve on the booster during final system checks.
The new launch window is set for November 6th at 10:16 p.m. EST, with a 44-minute window available. After launch, the rocket will take approximately three and a half hours to place the satellite into a geostationary transfer orbit. There, ViaSat-3 F2 will undergo necessary testing before moving to its final operational orbit.
“We will not continue with countdown operations,” said ULA Launch Director James Whelan regarding the delay.
Launch Details
- Original launch site: Complex 41, Cape Canaveral
- Rocket: United Launch Alliance Atlas V
- New launch date and time: November 6th, 10:16 p.m. EST
- Launch window length: 44 minutes
- Duration to geostationary transfer orbit: ~3.5 hours
Satellite Mission
After reaching its transfer orbit, ViaSat-3 F2 will undergo testing before it is positioned at its final geostationary orbit to provide expanded communications capabilities.
Author's summary: ViaSat-3 F2’s launch was postponed due to a booster vent valve issue; the rescheduled launch aims to deploy the satellite into geostationary transfer orbit for thorough testing before its mission begins.