Viasat (NASDAQ:VSAT) completed Final Integrated Satellite Test (FIST) on its ViaSat-3 Americas satellite and moved it to the flight final phase of integration to prepare for its flight configuration.
The company’s class of Ka-band satellites are anticipated to bring the best bandwidth economics in the industry. They’re flexible enough to concentrate the bandwidth capacity to meet demand on land, in the ocean or in the air. Additionally, the first two satellites focus on the Americas and Europe, Middle East and Asia (EMEA) respectively, with a third focusing on the Asia Pacific region. FIST tests confirm all the satellite’s payload and bus systems to ensure they work property after the stresses of mechanical environmental testing, which simulate the launch of a spacecraft.
“With the completion of the Final Integrated Satellite Test, we now have final confirmation that the satellite design and build process has produced a spacecraft that is ready for launch,” said Dave Ryan, president of space and commercial networks at Viasat. “We can now progress to the final buildup for flight and look forward to finishing the satellite soon and preparing it for transport from Boeing’s facility in El Segundo, California to Cape Canaveral, Florida.”
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Viasat’s satellite passes the FIST test
The satellite completed mechanical environmental testing and thermal vacuum testing. These tests simulate the vacuum and extreme heat and cold conditions of space. FIST also confirmed the device’s continued performance as designed after the mechanical and thermal stresses of the prior test phases.
The satellite slated to support the EMEA is undergoing integration with spacecraft partner, Boeing (NYSE:BAA). Meanwhile, the third is going through final payload integration at the company’s facility in Tempe, Arizona.
Viasat is a global communications company that works with consumers, businesses, governments and militaries around the world. It offers a global communications network to power quality and inexpensive communications.
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