SpaceX Falcon Heavy in Hangar Pre-launch: ViaSat-3 F3 Communications Satellite

SpaceX Falcon Heavy in Hangar Pre-launch: ViaSat-3 F3 Communications Satellite

A SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket can be seen in the hangar at Launch Complex 39A in Cape Canaveral, Florida ahead of the upcoming Viasat-3 F3 Mission. Launching on a Falcon Heavy rocket reduces time to orbit by delivering the satellite to a more favorable transfer orbit where this satellite’s electric propulsion will take over to place ViaSat-3 F3 into a geostationary orbit. Following launch, the ViaSat-3 F3 satellite will spend several months traveling to geostationary orbit before arriving at its reserved orbital slot. It will go through rigorous in-orbit testing of both the bus and payload before entering service, expected to occur by late summer 2026. ViaSat-3 satellites are each designed to provide regional coverage with ViaSat-3 F3 expected to cover the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region.

SpaceX is targeting Monday, April 27, 2026, for a Falcon Heavy launch of the ViaSat-3 F3 mission to geosynchronous transfer orbit from Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A) at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The 85-minute launch window opens at 10:21 a.m. Eastern Time (ET). If needed, a backup opportunity is available Tuesday, April 28 during an 85-minute window that opens at 10:17 a.m. ET.

One of the side boosters on this mission previously supported SDA-0A, SARah-2, Transporter-11, and 18 Starlink missions, and the second previously supported launch of the GOES-U mission. Following stage separation, Falcon Heavy’s two side boosters will land on SpaceX’s Landing Zones 2 and 40 (LZ-2 and LZ-40) at Cape Canaveral in Florida.

SpaceX Falcon Heavy Info: 
https://www.spacex.com/vehicles/falcon-heavy

ViaSat Press Release: 
https://www.viasat.com/news/latest-news/corporate/2026/viasat-confirms-viasat-3-f3-satellite-to-launch-april-27--2026/

Video Credit: SpaceX

Duration: 14 seconds
Release Dates: April 24, 2026

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