San Diego's Viasat edges closer to Starlink with final satellite launch

San Diego satellite company Viasat announced a successful launch of ViaSat-3 F3 on Wednesday, which will provide better internet service over the Asia-Pacific region.

The launch marks the final step in the three-satellite constellation, which aims to compete with Starlink, providing broader internet connection across continents. It’s a consequential launch for the Carlsbad-based company, as its first satellite mission resulted in a technical failure.

The satellite took off on a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket from Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 10:13 a.m., two days after the initial launch date, which was delayed due to weather.

Five hours after launch, the satellite separated from the rocket. Minutes later, ground control received initial signals, confirming the satellite was in “healthy orbit and ready for the next phase of operations,” the company said Wednesday.

The satellite will continue its four-month voyage, reaching its final orbital slot over the Asia-Pacific region, 22,000 miles away from Earth.

Once it reaches the slot, it will begin to deploy its antenna, which will deliver 1 terabit per second of capacity - designed to double the existing bandwidth of the entire fleet in 2026.

But these high-tech satellites come at a high risk.

The first satellite, which cost $700 million, malfunctioned upon its entrance into orbit. When it reached its orbital slot, the internet antenna didn’t fully expand, thereby cutting coverage to the Americas.

The misstep hit the company hard. Upon the disruption disclosure, Viasat’s stock plummeted almost 30%.

So far, there have been no problems with the second and third satellite deployments; the second satellite reached its orbital slot, and this latest launch was successful.

Shares in Viasat gained 2.1% on April 29, closing at $59.28 on the day of the launch.

“As we celebrate the successful launch of ViaSat-3 F3,” said Viasat CEO Mark Dankberg, “it’s once again important to recognize this achievement as a testament to the dedication and expertise of hundreds of Viasat team members.”

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This story was originally published May 1, 2026 at 6:56 PM.