SpaceX will launch its Falcon Heavy rocket on April 27 after an 18-month hiatus, carrying the ViaSat-3 F3 communications satellite into geostationary orbit.
The launch window opens at 10:21 a.m. EDT (1421 GMT) from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida and lasts 85 minutes.
Falcon Heavy, which uses three modified Falcon 9 first stages strapped together, generates about 5.1 million pounds of thrust at liftoff.
This makes it the second-most-powerful operational launch vehicle today, behind NASA’s Space Launch System at 8.8 million pounds of thrust.
SpaceX’s Starship, still in development, produces 16.7 million pounds of thrust but has not yet flown an operational mission.
The Falcon Heavy has flown 11 times since its debut in February 2018, including the October 2024 launch of NASA’s Europa Clipper spacecraft.
Its last flight before this mission was also in October 2024, ending a gap of 18 months between launches.
The ViaSat-3 F3 satellite weighs 6.6 tons (6 metric tons) and will operate in geostationary orbit at 22,236 miles (35,786 kilometers) above Earth.
At that altitude, the satellite’s orbital speed matches Earth’s rotation, allowing it to remain fixed over the Asia-Pacific region.
ViaSat-3 F3 will provide high-throughput broadband service to commercial, defense, and commercial customers across that region.
It is the third satellite in the ViaSat-3 constellation, following ViaSat-3 F1 launched in April 2023 and ViaSat-3 F2 launched in November 2025.
ViaSat-3 F1 currently serves airline passengers, while ViaSat-3 F2 is expected to begin serving customers in the Americas next month.
Dave Abrahamian, ViaSat’s vice president of space systems, said the launch marks a pivotal moment in delivering fast, secure, and reliable broadband capacity.
Falcon Heavy returns to flight after longest gap in its history
The April 27 launch ends the longest dormant period for Falcon Heavy since it became operational, surpassing previous gaps between missions.
This break was longer than the interval between any of its prior 11 flights, which had averaged roughly every few months during active periods.
The delay reflects shifting launch manifests and payload readiness rather than technical issues with the rocket itself.
ViaSat-3 F3 completes a three-satellite broadband constellation
With ViaSat-3 F3 in orbit, the constellation will cover the Americas, Asia-Pacific, and global airline routes for high-speed data services.
The satellites are designed to deliver flexible, high-capacity bandwidth that can be redirected based on demand.
ViaSat-3 F2, launched on an Atlas V in November 2025, is undergoing final checks before entering service over the Americas.
The full constellation aims to compete with other geostationary broadband networks by offering adaptive throughput for government and commercial users.
What time does the Falcon Heavy launch on April 27?
The launch window opens at 10:21 a.m. EDT (1421 GMT) and lasts for 85 minutes.
Where will the ViaSat-3 F3 satellite operate once in orbit?
ViaSat-3 F3 will operate in geostationary orbit over the Asia-Pacific region to provide broadband services.
