The broadband satellite services company Viasat has disclosed that the VIASAT-2 has an anomaly relate do its beams and antenna. The Boeing-built VIASAT-2 satellite system which was launched in June 2017 is expected to significantly improve speeds, reduce costs and expand the footprint of broadband services across the Americas and Atlantic ocean, Viasat has successfully completed a number of key performance tests on the VIASAT-2 satellite and end-to-end network, including demonstrating downstream speeds of over 100 Mbps to production consumer terminals. However, its manufacturer Boeing has identified an in-orbit antenna issue, which has caused some spot beams to perform differently than they did during ground testing. The delay in detecting the fault is because the satellite used electric thrusters to slowly raise the satellite to its operational position. Viasat believes the issue will not impact the coverage area of the satellite, or materially impact the planned services and the expected financial results from the ViaSat-2 system.
Artist’s impression of VIASAT-2 in orbit. Courtesy: Boeing
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