[Satellite TODAY 11-04-11] The ViaSat-1 satellite has reached its position in geosynchronous orbit and will begin post-launch operations and in-orbit testing on schedule, operator ViaSat confirmed Nov. 3.

   Since launching Oct. 19 on an International Launch Services (ILS) Proton rocket, ViaSat has successfully deployed ViaSat-1’s solar arrays, six apogee motor firings, main- and sub-reflectors and stationary plasma thrusters for satellite positioning. The 140 Gbps capacity satellite is scheduled to enter initial service in late December, with full service sequentially expanding across the United States over the following months.

   “On Wednesday, [Nov. 2] the satellite’s payload was switched on, enabling the first high-capacity satellite over North America to begin a series of in-orbit tests. Those tests will be followed by a move to its operational orbital location,” ViaSat said in a company statement.

   ViaSat -1 was built by Space Systems/Loral and is the second multi-spotbeam satellite to use ViaSat’s transformational high-capacity satellite system architecture, following the launch of services on Eutelsat Ka-Sat in Europe earlier this year.