Viasat will help AFRL demonstrate real-time
space relay connectivity between DoD LEO and commercial GEO
assets
CARLSBAD, Calif., June 7, 2023
/PRNewswire/ -- Viasat Inc. (NASDAQ: VSAT), a global
communications company, today announced it was selected by the Air
Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Space Vehicles Directorate (RV) to
provide on-orbit space relay connectivity for its ARBALEST program,
which aims to support a future space-based demonstration of
operational capabilities for the Department of Defense (DoD). The
future AFRL mission will illustrate the advantages of enabling
real-time, global connectivity between DoD low Earth orbit (LEO)
spacecraft and commercial geostationary (GEO) satellites.
The ARBALEST program and expected AFRL-led mission will
demonstrate the military utility of LEO space relay over commercial
high throughput satellites in support of space mission resilience,
real-time data dissemination, command and control (C2), as well as
the rapid retasking of government space vehicles. Viasat's space
relay solution is key to enabling these capabilities and will
leverage the upcoming ViaSat-3 constellation, which includes three
Ka-band terabit-class GEO satellites, to provide continuous
coverage for LEO spacecraft anywhere and at any time in their
orbit.
Under the ARBALEST program, Viasat will provide AFRL with a
Ka-band space relay payload for integration into a spacecraft for
the future AFRL mission, as well as provide engineering analysis,
integration and test support. Viasat will also support the on-orbit
demonstration phase of the mission.
"Viasat is very excited to expand its partnership with AFRL and
to accelerate the delivery of advanced commercial space-based
communications for the DoD," said Craig
Miller, president of Viasat Government Systems. "This
real-time space relay capability will offer an efficient method of
moving LEO satellite data to the ground for operations. Most
importantly, this technology will help increase resilience for
future U.S. space missions and benefit warfighters with more
direct, immediate access to information and data to improve the
situational awareness and decisions supporting the safety of those
on the front lines."
Viasat's on-orbit connectivity solutions are designed to reduce
data latency, provide real-time tasking of on-orbit assets, and
enhance resilience through multi-path networking schemes. The space
relay service will be a new offering to help commercial and
government LEO operators share time-sensitive data more effectively
and remain in constant contact with their spacecraft, allowing them
to send commands and receive data at any time – all through the
high-capacity, resilient ViaSat-3 constellation. This future AFRL
mission will be the first pathfinder demonstration of Viasat's
space relay service. The Viasat space relay service is expected to
achieve initial operational capability in late 2025.
Visit the Viasat website for more information about
intersatellite communications capabilities.
About Viasat
Viasat is a global communications company
that believes everyone and everything in the world can be
connected. With offices in 24 countries around the world, our
mission shapes how consumers, businesses, governments and
militaries around the world communicate and connect. Viasat is
developing the ultimate global communications network to power
high-quality, reliable, secure, affordable, fast connections to
positively impact people's lives anywhere they are—on the ground,
in the air or at sea, while building a sustainable future in space.
On May 30, 2023, Viasat completed its
acquisition of Inmarsat, combining the teams, technologies and
resources of the two companies to create a new global
communications partner. Learn more at www.viasat.com, the
Viasat News Room or follow us on
Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter or YouTube.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains
forward-looking statements that are subject to the safe harbors
created under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements include statements
about the features, expected benefits and performance of
Viasat's multi-orbit satellite relay capability and service; the
expected use, capacity and other features of the ViaSat-3 satellite
constellation; the payload and services to be provided by Viasat;
and the expected timing of the on-orbit demonstration phase of the
mission and of achieving initial operational
capability. Readers are cautioned that actual results could
differ materially and adversely from those expressed in any
forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results
to differ include: construction, launch and operation of
satellites, including the effect of any anomaly, operational
failure or degradation in satellite performance; contractual
problems, product defects, manufacturing issues or delays,
regulatory issues, technologies not being developed according to
anticipated schedules, or that do not perform according to
expectations; delays in approving U.S. government budgets and cuts
in government defense expenditures; and increased competition and
other factors affecting the government and defense sectors
generally. In addition, please refer to the risk factors contained
in Viasat's SEC filings available
at www.sec.gov, including Viasat's most recent
Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q.
Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any
forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on
which they are made. Viasat undertakes no obligation to
update or revise any forward-looking statements for any reason.
Copyright © 2023 Viasat, Inc. All rights reserved. Viasat,
the Viasat logo and the Viasat signal are registered trademarks of
Viasat, Inc. All other product or company names mentioned are used
for identification purposes only and may be trademarks of their
respective owners.
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SOURCE Viasat, Inc.