On November 13, 2025, Viasat completed the first flight test of its launch telemetry data relay service aboard Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket. The test, conducted from Cape Canaveral at 3:55 pm ET, demonstrated a persistent L‑band connection that transmitted real‑time flight data to the launch operations center, validating Viasat’s capability to provide continuous telemetry for launch vehicles.
The demonstration is part of Viasat’s HaloNet portfolio, which includes a constellation of satellites that deliver high‑capacity, low‑latency communications across multiple orbits. By establishing a continuous link during the New Glenn flight, Viasat proved that its multi‑orbit architecture can support the demanding bandwidth and reliability requirements of modern launch missions.
Viasat’s Q2 FY2026 earnings, released on November 7, 2025, showed a net loss of $61 million, a sharp improvement from the $138 million loss in the same quarter a year earlier. Revenue rose to $1.14 billion, up 2 % year‑over‑year, while earnings per share reached $0.09, beating the consensus estimate of –$0.11 by $0.20. The EPS beat was driven by disciplined cost management and a favorable mix of high‑margin government and aviation contracts that offset lower maritime revenue.
NASA’s Communications Services Project (CSP) aims to retire the legacy Tracking and Data Relay Satellite fleet by 2031 and replace it with commercial providers. Viasat’s successful relay on New Glenn positions the company as a key partner for NASA’s transition, with its services expected to become fully operational for NASA missions in the coming years as the CSP timeline progresses.
The New Glenn flight also marked the second launch of the heavy‑lift vehicle and included the first successful landing and recovery of its booster, a milestone that enhances Blue Origin’s competitiveness against rivals such as SpaceX. The successful landing demonstrates the reliability of New Glenn’s reusable first stage, which is critical for reducing launch costs and increasing launch cadence.
The demonstration opens new revenue opportunities for Viasat, reinforcing its strategic shift toward capital‑efficient, high‑capacity space communications. The company’s recent earnings momentum, combined with its growing backlog of NASA and commercial contracts, signals a strengthening market position amid increasing demand for space‑based data relay services.
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