Watch Atlas V rocket launch huge communications satellite tonight after delay

Atlas V Rocket Set to Launch ViaSat-3 F2 Satellite Tonight

United Launch Alliance (ULA) plans to launch the powerful ViaSat-3 F2 satellite into orbit on the evening of November 6, following a one-day delay. The satellite, weighing approximately 13,000 pounds (5,900 kilograms), will lift off atop an Atlas V rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.

Launch Details

The launch window opens at 10:16 p.m. and will last for 44 minutes. The original launch attempt on November 5 was postponed due to a technical issue with the rocket.

Live Coverage

You can watch the launch live via Space.com, with coverage starting about 20 minutes before liftoff. The feed is provided courtesy of ULA, and the company also offers a direct live stream.

Mission and Orbit

If the launch proceeds as planned, the Atlas V rocket will deliver ViaSat-3 F2 into a geostationary transfer orbit roughly 3.5 hours after liftoff. The satellite will then slowly maneuver to its final position in geostationary orbit (GEO), located 22,236 miles (35,786 kilometers) above Earth.

At GEO altitude, satellites orbit at a speed synchronized with Earth’s rotation, allowing them to remain fixed over the same geographical area. This orbit is ideal for communications and surveillance satellites.

"Satellites in GEO therefore 'hover' over the same patch of Earth continuously, making it a popular destination for spy and communications craft."

Service Expectations

The ViaSat-3 F2 satellite is expected to begin providing broadband service to customers in early 2026.

Summary: The Atlas V launch of ViaSat-3 F2 aims to enhance broadband connectivity, deploying a high-capacity communications satellite into geostationary orbit after a brief delay.

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Space Space — 2025-11-05

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