ViaSat 3-F3 Soars Towards Space

Kennedy Space Center, FL. – This morning, April 29, 2026 a SpaceX Falcon Heavy lit its 27 engines at the opening of the window taking the ViaSat-3 F3 satellite towards orbit. Delayed from April 27 due to weather, the Falcon Heavy is making its first appearance since October 2024 and first appearance of 2026, the Falcon Heavy launched from Launch Complex 39-A at 10:13 AM on an easterly trajectory.

Image Credit:  Michael Howard - We Report Space

Its cargo, the ViaSat-3 F3 communications satellite tipping the scales at 6400 kgs (14,110 lbs), which will end up in a geo-synchronous orbit. The satellite will be operated by ViaSat (Carlsbad, Ca). The satellite manufacturer is Boeing.

Image credit:  Michael Howard - We Report Space

Roughly 8 minutes 30 seconds after liftoff, the 2 side boosters (B1072 & B1075) returned to LZ-40 and LZ-2 respectively sending a loud twin double sonic boom across the space coast.

Image Credit:  Michael Howard - We Report Space

Image Credit:  Michael Howard - We Report Space

Overall, this completes the 12th mission of a Falcon Heavy and the 51st mission of 2026 for SpaceX.

Cloud Busting!  The Falcon Heavy parts the clouds on the way towards space.

Image Credit:  Michael Howard - We Report Space

A "Day Streak" by Michael Howard - We Report Space

Article: Graham Smith - We Report Space

Images: Michael Howard - We Report Space

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