SpaceX Launches ViaSat-3 F3 Satellite Aboard Falcon Heavy

SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy rocket successfully launched on April 29, 2026, carrying the ViaSat-3 F3 satellite from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. This launch marks the 12th flight of the Falcon Heavy since its debut in 2018 and demonstrates the rocket’s capabilities in providing advanced communications.

The Falcon Heavy, standing 70 metres tall and using 27 Merlin engines, lifted off at 10:13 a.m. EDT with an impressive thrust of 5 million pounds. Approximately 2.5 minutes after liftoff, the two side boosters separated from the central core, which continued its mission to place the satellite into orbit. The side boosters safely returned to Earth, making landings at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

The successful deployment of the satellite occurred nearly five hours after launch, following a series of engine burns to guide it to its designated orbit. The ViaSat-3 F3 satellite is the final member of the ViaSat-3 constellation, which aims to enhance broadband capacity, focusing on the Asia-Pacific region. It is expected to add over one Terabit per second of capacity to the existing network.

Dave Abrahamian, Vice President at Viasat, highlighted the significance of this launch, noting the improvements in satellite technology over the past decade. The new satellites offer more flexibility than traditional models, allowing for better service across regions as demand changes. Following the launch, the satellite will undergo a two-month process to reach its operational position in orbit.

How much do you know?

What was carried by the Falcon Heavy rocket during its launch on April 29, 2026?

Starlink satellites

ViaSat-3 F3 satellite

Hubble Space Telescope

Mars rover

What is the height of the Falcon Heavy rocket?

50 metres

70 metres

90 metres

110 metres

How many Merlin engines does the Falcon Heavy use?

17

20

27

30

At what time did the Falcon Heavy lift off on April 29, 2026?

10:00 a.m. EDT

10:13 a.m. EDT

10:30 a.m. EDT

10:45 a.m. EDT

Where did the side boosters of the Falcon Heavy land?

NASA Kennedy Space Center

Cape Canaveral Space Force Station

Fort Lauderdale

Orlando

What is the expected capacity addition of the ViaSat-3 F3 satellite to the existing network?

500 Megabits per second

1 Terabit per second

2 Terabits per second

10 Terabits per second

Falcon Heavy's launch on April 29, 2026, was its first flight.

True False

The ViaSat-3 F3 satellite is part of a constellation aimed at enhancing broadband capacity.

True False

The side boosters of Falcon Heavy did not return safely to Earth.

True False

Dave Abrahamian is a Vice President at NASA.

True False

The Falcon Heavy rocket uses 27 Merlin engines for its launch.

True False

The satellite will take two weeks to reach its operational position in orbit after launch.

True False

The Falcon Heavy rocket successfully launched on April 29, 2026, carrying the ViaSat-3 F3 satellite from NASA's Kennedy Space Center. This launch marks the flight of the Falcon Heavy.

The ViaSat-3 F3 satellite is designed to enhance broadband capacity, focusing on the region.

The Falcon Heavy lifted off with an impressive thrust of pounds.

The successful deployment of the satellite occurred nearly five after launch.

Following the launch, the satellite will undergo a process to reach its operational position in orbit.

The Falcon Heavy rocket uses Merlin engines to operate.

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