StoryHardware
Viasat discloses reflector anomaly on ViaSat-3 F1 that may materially hit its performance
Viasat said an unexpected event occurred while deploying the large reflector on its first ViaSat-3 satellite, launched weeks earlier, and that it could materially affect performance. Its stock fell sharply. Contingency plans included moving other satellites or assigning a later ViaSat-3 to the Americas.
- F1 launched on Falcon Heavy at the end of April 2023 to cover the Americas.
- The reflector is one of the largest ever flown, with a 144 ft wingspan.
- Shares fell from about $43 to $30 the next day.