ViaSat-1

{{Short description|High throughput communications satellite}}

{{Infobox spaceflight|auto=yes

| name = ViaSat-1

| image = Transporting rocket Proton-M with ViaSat-1.webm

| image_caption = October 2, 2011. The Proton-M space rocket with the ViaSat-1 spacecraft is being rolled out to the launch complex of site 200 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome. The train is being pulled by a TEM2UM-4014 diesel locomotive. The rocket was launched at 22:48 Moscow time on October 19, 2011.

| names_list = VS-1, VIASAT-IOM

| mission_type = Communication

| operator = Viasat Inc.{{\}}Telesat

| COSPAR_ID = 2011-059A

| SATCAT = 37843

| mission_duration = 15 years (planned)
{{time interval|19 October 2011, 18:48:58|show=ymd|sep=,}} (elapsed)

| spacecraft_bus = LS-1300

| manufacturer = Space Systems/Loral

| dry_mass = {{convert|3650|kg|lb|abbr=on}}

| launch_mass = {{convert|6740|kg|lb|abbr=on}}

| power =

| launch_date = {{start-date|19 October 2011, 18:48:58|timezone=yes}} UTC

| launch_rocket = Proton-M/Briz-M

| launch_site = Baikonur 200/39

| launch_contractor = International Launch Services

| disposal_type =

| deactivated =

| orbit_epoch = 25 January 2015, 04:39:48 UTC{{cite web|url=http://www.n2yo.com/satellite/?s=37843|title=VIASAT 1 Satellite details 2011-059A NORAD 37843|publisher=N2YO|date=25 January 2015|access-date=25 January 2015}}

| orbit_reference = Geocentric

| orbit_regime = Geostationary

| orbit_periapsis = {{convert|35783|km|mi}}

| orbit_apoapsis = {{convert|35802|km|mi}}

| orbit_inclination = 0.00 degrees

| orbit_period = 1436.10 minutes

| orbit_longitude = 115.1° west

| apsis = gee

| trans_band = 56 Ka-band

| trans_frequency =

| trans_bandwidth =

| trans_capacity =

| trans_coverage = Contiguous United States, Alaska, Hawaii, Canada

| trans_TWTA =

| trans_EIRP =

| trans_HPBW =

}}

ViaSat-1 is a high throughput communications satellite owned by Viasat Inc. and Telesat Canada.[http://www.space.com/13432-isle-man-launched-satellite-viasat.html ViaSat-1 Launch Is Milestone for Isle of Man][https://archive.today/20150115113934/http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewpr.html?pid=35059 The Isle of Man Government launch ViaSat-1 the first satellite to use an Isle of Man licensed orbital filing] Launched October 19, 2011 aboard a Proton rocket, it held the Guinness record for the world's highest capacity communications satellite with a total capacity in excess of 140 Gbit/s, more than all the satellites covering North America combined, at the time of its launch.{{cite web|url=http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/highest-capacity-communications-satellite/|title=Highest-capacity communications satellite |date=December 2012 |access-date=December 14, 2012 }}

ViaSat-1 is capable of two-way communications with small dish antennas at higher speeds and a lower cost-per-bit than any satellite before.{{cite news|title=Viasat broadband 'super-satellite' launches|date=October 20, 2011

|first=Jonathan |last=Amos|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-15358121|publisher=BBC News|access-date=February 10, 2023}}

The satellite is positioned at 115.1 degrees West longitude geostationary orbit point, with 72 Ka-band spot beams; 63 over the U.S. (Eastern and Western states, Alaska and Hawaii), and nine over Canada.

The Canadian beams are owned by satellite operator Telesat and are used for the Xplornet broadband service to consumers in rural Canada. The US beams provide fast Internet access called Exede, Viasat's satellite Internet service.{{cite web|url=http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-18438_7-57361444-82/exede-the-satellite-broadband-service-youve-been-waiting-for/|title=Exede: The satellite broadband service you've been waiting for? |date=January 2012 |access-date=April 20, 2013 |work=CNet }}

ViaSat-1 is part of a new satellite system architecture created by Viasat Inc. The objective is to create a better satellite broadband user experience,{{cite web|url=http://tech.fortune.cnn.com/2011/10/17/a-very-different-kind-of-dish-network|title=A Very Different Kind of Dish Network |date=October 2011 |access-date=November 28, 2011 |work=Fortune }} making satellite competitive with DSL and wireless broadband alternatives for the first time.{{cite web|url=http://www.telecompetitor.com/fcc-viasat-fios-cablevision-comcast-beat-advertised-broadband-speeds/|title=Exede service comes in first place in FCC report |date=February 2013 |access-date=April 20, 2013 |work=TeleCompetitor }}