Viasat launches Maxwell spacecraft for NASA communications demonstration
The spacecraft launched on SpaceX’s Bandwagon-5 mission on 20 October; Viasat says on-orbit testing is planned through March 2027.
Event / data period: 2026-10-20
Published: · Updated:
Viasat said on 21 October that its Maxwell spacecraft had launched from Cape Canaveral the previous day for a demonstration under NASA’s Communications Services Project. The launch took place at 7:04 a.m. Eastern Time during SpaceX’s Bandwagon-5 rideshare mission. Viasat said the mission will support NASA’s evaluation of commercial communications services for spacecraft in low Earth orbit.
Payloads on Maxwell are intended to demonstrate satellite relay in Ka and L bands, alongside direct-to-ground links in S, X and Ka bands. Viasat said the on-orbit tests and demonstrations are planned over five months through March 2027. The launch is a milestone in a demonstration programme tied to two NASA project awards; the announcement does not say testing is complete or report operational performance results.
Data
Viasat launches Maxwell spacecraft for NASA communications demonstration
- · Occurred
Viasat launches Maxwell spacecraft for NASA communications demonstration
The spacecraft launched on SpaceX’s Bandwagon-5 mission on 20 October; Viasat says on-orbit testing is planned through March 2027.
Methodology
Based on Viasat’s 21 October company announcement; the stated test window is planned, not a completed result.
Updated:
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