Viasat and Blue Origin to Partner on Launch Telemetry Demonstration for NASA Communications Services Project
Viasat (NASDAQ: VSAT) has partnered with Blue Origin to demonstrate its InRange launch telemetry relay service on two future New Glenn rocket missions. This collaboration is part of NASA's Communications Services Project (CSP), aiming to transition from NASA's Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS) system to commercial SATCOM solutions.
The InRange technology utilizes Viasat's global L-band satellite network to provide real-time telemetry data during launches, enabling continuous beyond-line-of-sight communications and eliminating ground communication "blackouts". The first demonstration flight is expected in 2025, followed by a full service demonstration in 2026.
This partnership comes after NASA's November 2024 announcement that no new missions will use TDRS services, creating a need for commercial SATCOM-based launch telemetry solutions.
Viasat (NASDAQ: VSAT) ha stretto una collaborazione con Blue Origin per dimostrare il suo servizio di trasmissione telemetrica InRange su due future missioni del razzo New Glenn. Questa collaborazione fa parte del Communications Services Project (CSP) della NASA, che mira a sostituire il sistema Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS) della NASA con soluzioni SATCOM commerciali.
La tecnologia InRange sfrutta la rete satellitare globale L-band di Viasat per fornire dati telemetrici in tempo reale durante i lanci, garantendo comunicazioni continue oltre la linea di vista e eliminando le interruzioni di comunicazione a terra. Il primo volo dimostrativo è previsto per il 2025, seguito da una dimostrazione completa del servizio nel 2026.
Questa collaborazione arriva dopo l'annuncio della NASA del novembre 2024, che ha comunicato che nessuna nuova missione utilizzerà i servizi TDRS, creando la necessità di soluzioni telemetriche di lancio basate su SATCOM commerciali.
Viasat (NASDAQ: VSAT) se ha asociado con Blue Origin para demostrar su servicio de retransmisión telemétrica InRange en dos futuras misiones del cohete New Glenn. Esta colaboración forma parte del Communications Services Project (CSP) de la NASA, que busca la transición del sistema Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS) de la NASA a soluciones SATCOM comerciales.
La tecnología InRange utiliza la red global de satélites en banda L de Viasat para proporcionar datos telemétricos en tiempo real durante los lanzamientos, permitiendo comunicaciones continuas más allá de la línea de vista y eliminando las interrupciones de comunicación en tierra. El primer vuelo de demostración está previsto para 2025, seguido de una demostración completa del servicio en 2026.
Esta asociación surge tras el anuncio de la NASA en noviembre de 2024 de que ninguna nueva misión utilizará los servicios TDRS, lo que crea la necesidad de soluciones telemétricas de lanzamiento basadas en SATCOM comerciales.
Viasat (NASDAQ: VSAT)는 Blue Origin과 협력하여 향후 두 차례의 New Glenn 로켓 미션에서 InRange 발사 텔레메트리 중계 서비스를 시연할 예정입니다. 이 협력은 NASA의 통신 서비스 프로젝트(CSP)의 일환으로, NASA의 Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS) 시스템에서 상업용 SATCOM 솔루션으로 전환하는 것을 목표로 합니다.
InRange 기술은 Viasat의 글로벌 L-밴드 위성 네트워크를 활용하여 발사 중 실시간 텔레메트리 데이터를 제공하며, 시야 밖 통신을 지속 가능하게 하여 지상 통신 '블랙아웃'을 제거합니다. 첫 시연 비행은 2025년에 예정되어 있으며, 2026년에는 전체 서비스 시연이 이루어질 예정입니다.
이 파트너십은 2024년 11월 NASA가 새로운 미션에서는 TDRS 서비스를 사용하지 않을 것이라고 발표한 이후, 상업용 SATCOM 기반 발사 텔레메트리 솔루션에 대한 필요성이 생기면서 이루어졌습니다.
Viasat (NASDAQ : VSAT) s'est associé à Blue Origin pour démontrer son service de relais de télémétrie InRange lors de deux futures missions de la fusée New Glenn. Cette collaboration fait partie du Communications Services Project (CSP) de la NASA, visant à passer du système Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS) de la NASA à des solutions SATCOM commerciales.
La technologie InRange utilise le réseau mondial de satellites en bande L de Viasat pour fournir des données télémétriques en temps réel lors des lancements, permettant des communications continues au-delà de la ligne de vue et éliminant les coupures de communication au sol. Le premier vol de démonstration est prévu en 2025, suivi d'une démonstration complète du service en 2026.
Ce partenariat intervient après l'annonce de la NASA en novembre 2024 qu'aucune nouvelle mission n'utilisera les services TDRS, créant ainsi un besoin de solutions de télémétrie de lancement basées sur le SATCOM commercial.
Viasat (NASDAQ: VSAT) hat eine Partnerschaft mit Blue Origin geschlossen, um seinen InRange-Starttelemetrie-Relay-Dienst bei zwei zukünftigen New Glenn-Raketenmissionen zu demonstrieren. Diese Zusammenarbeit ist Teil des Communications Services Project (CSP) der NASA, das den Übergang vom Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS)-System der NASA zu kommerziellen SATCOM-Lösungen anstrebt.
Die InRange-Technologie nutzt Viasats globales L-Band-Satellitennetzwerk, um während Starts Echtzeit-Telemetriedaten bereitzustellen, wodurch eine kontinuierliche Kommunikation über Sichtweite hinaus ermöglicht und Funklöcher am Boden eliminiert werden. Der erste Demonstrationsflug ist für 2025 geplant, gefolgt von einer vollständigen Dienstleistungsdemonstration im Jahr 2026.
Diese Partnerschaft folgt auf die Ankündigung der NASA im November 2024, dass keine neuen Missionen mehr TDRS-Dienste nutzen werden, wodurch der Bedarf an kommerziellen SATCOM-basierten Starttelemetrielösungen entstanden ist.
- Partnership with Blue Origin provides validation and exposure for Viasat's InRange technology
- Strategic positioning to capture market share as NASA transitions from TDRS to commercial solutions
- Technology eliminates communication blackouts during launches, offering competitive advantage
- Two confirmed demonstration missions provide clear path to service validation
- Service demonstrations won't be completed until 2026
- Success depends on flawless execution of both demonstration missions
- Faces potential competition from other commercial SATCOM providers
Insights
Viasat's Blue Origin partnership strengthens their position to capture NASA's launch communications market as TDRS system phases out.
Viasat's partnership with Blue Origin represents a strategic positioning move to capture market share as NASA transitions away from its aging Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS) system toward commercial satellite communications solutions. This is particularly significant given NASA's November 2024 announcement that no new missions will use TDRS services, effectively creating an immediate market opportunity for commercial providers.
The InRange technology leverages Viasat's global L-band satellite network to provide continuous beyond-line-of-sight communications during rocket launches - solving a critical "blackout" problem that occurs when launches move beyond ground station coverage. This capability is essential for mission controllers to maintain constant telemetry data during the most critical phases of space missions.
The timing is particularly advantageous as Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket has just proven itself with a successful maiden launch in January 2025. This partnership gives Viasat access to two upcoming high-profile launches to demonstrate their technology in real-world conditions. The first demonstration this year will be followed by a full service demonstration in 2026, providing a staged approach to validate the technology.
From a competitive standpoint, this positions Viasat to potentially become the premier replacement for TDRS services not just for NASA but for a global customer base including "U.S. government, commercial sector and other global national space agency missions" that previously relied on TDRS. The service diversifies Viasat's government business beyond traditional satellite communications into mission-critical launch support services, expanding their Defense and Advanced Technologies segment's capabilities and potential revenue streams.
Viasat will demonstrate its InRange launch telemetry relay solution on Blue Origin’s New Glenn Rocket on two future missions
CARLSBAD, Calif., May 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Viasat Inc. (NASDAQ: VSAT), a global leader in satellite communications (SATCOM), today announced it has selected Blue Origin as its launch mission partner to support Viasat’s demonstration of its InRange launch telemetry relay service as part of its work with NASA’s Communications Services Project (CSP). Viasat’s Space and Mission Systems team, part of the company’s Defense and Advanced Technologies (DAT) segment, will work with Blue Origin across two future launches to integrate the user terminal and InRange solution on the New Glenn launch vehicle to showcase this innovative space-based launch communications capability. Blue Origin successfully launched the first New Glenn rocket on January 16, 2025.
By demonstrating the InRange launch service capability with Blue Origin, Viasat will support NASA’s aim to transition orbital communication users from NASA’s Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS) system to commercial SATCOM solutions. NASA announced in November 2024 that no new missions will be onboarded to use TDRS services, which means launch providers will need a commercial SATCOM-based launch telemetry solution. TDRS has long provided launch communications support for U.S. government, commercial sector and other global national space agency missions. Providers globally are now seeking alternative commercial telemetry relay services for their launch missions. In alignment with this, Viasat is also partnering with the NASA Launch Services Program (LSP) team, which has been responsible for collecting TDRS relayed data for launch vehicles and sharing it with launch operators.
“We are excited to be working with Blue Origin as our launch partner to showcase our innovative launch telemetry services,” said Susan Miller, President of Viasat Government. “As NASA looks ahead to replacing the TDRS system, commercial capabilities need to deliver greater performance, flexibility and resilience to support future missions.”
InRange is designed to provide a constant relay connection to the ground through Viasat’s network, enabling real-time data transmission during launch to support mission operations. The technology uses Viasat’s global L-band satellite network to provide real-time telemetry data for launch missions, enabling launch mission controllers to maintain communications and monitor the performance of their vehicles beyond-line-of-sight and avoid reliance on ground communications, which can experience communication “blackouts” when the launch vehicle moves into an area not covered by Earth-based connections.
“It is a privilege to work with Viasat on this mission. By demonstrating Viasat’s InRange launch telemetry relay service with New Glenn, we are taking a significant step towards enhancing the reliability and efficiency of launch communications,” said Jarrett Jones, Senior Vice President, New Glenn. “This collaboration not only supports NASA’s transition to commercial SATCOM solutions, but also showcases the innovative capabilities of our New Glenn launch vehicle.”
Viasat’s first New Glenn launch will be the initial InRange flight test of these services and is currently anticipated to launch this year. This is also expected be the first in-flight demonstration of Viasat’s data-relay services being developed under the NASA CSP program, which include a portfolio of multi-band space-relay communications services that support low-Earth orbit missions and constellation operations. The second mission, which will be a full InRange service demonstration, is currently planned for 2026.
Visit the Viasat website for more information on Viasat’s data relay communications services.
About Viasat
Viasat is a global communications company that believes everyone and everything in the world can be connected. With offices in 24 countries around the world, our mission shapes how consumers, businesses, governments and militaries around the world communicate and connect. Viasat is developing the ultimate global communications network to power high-quality, reliable, secure, affordable, fast connections to positively impact people's lives anywhere they are—on the ground, in the air or at sea, while building a sustainable future in space. In May 2023, Viasat completed its acquisition of Inmarsat, combining the teams, technologies and resources of the two companies to create a new global communications partner. Learn more at www.viasat.com, the Viasat News Room or follow us on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, Facebook, Bluesky, Threads, and YouTube.
Copyright © 2025 Viasat, Inc. All rights reserved. Viasat, the Viasat logo and the Viasat Signal are registered trademarks in the U.S. and in other countries of Viasat, Inc. All other product or company names mentioned are used for identification purposes only and may be trademarks of their respective owners.
About Blue Origin
Blue Origin is building a road to space for the benefit of Earth, humanity’s blue origin. Blue Origin is focused on radically reducing the cost of access to space and harnessing its vast resources while mobilizing future generations to realize this mission. Blue Origin builds and operates reusable rocket engines, launch vehicles, in-space systems, and lunar landers. Discover more at BlueOrigin.com.
Viasat, Inc. Contacts
Dan Bleier, Public Relations, Viasat Government, +1 (202) 383-5074, daniel.bleier@viasat.com
Lisa Curran/Pete Lopez, Investor Relations, +1 (760) 476-2633, IR@viasat.com
Blue Origin Contact
Brett Griffin, Public Relations, media@blueorigin.com
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to the safe harbors created under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements include, among others, statements about the features, expected benefits and performance of Viasat's InRange service; and the timing of the Blue Origin missions and in-space demonstrations of the InRange demonstrations. Readers are cautioned that actual results could differ materially and adversely from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ include: our ability to realize the anticipated benefits of the Viasat global L-band network; construction, launch and operation of satellites, including the effect of any anomaly, operational failure or degradation in satellite performance; contractual problems, product defects, manufacturing issues or delays, regulatory issues, technologies not being developed according to anticipated schedules, or that do not perform according to expectations; delays in approving U.S. government budgets and cuts in government defense expenditures; and increased competition and other factors affecting the government and defense sectors generally. In addition, please refer to the risk factors contained in Viasat's SEC filings available at www.sec.gov, including Viasat's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they are made. Viasat undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements for any reason.
FAQ
What is Viasat's InRange launch telemetry relay service?
Why is VSAT partnering with Blue Origin for the NASA Communications Services Project?
When will Viasat's InRange demonstrations with Blue Origin take place?
What problem does Viasat's InRange technology solve for launch missions?
How does NASA's TDRS transition affect Viasat (VSAT)?
