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CARLSBAD, Calif. - Viasat Inc. (NASDAQ: VSAT), a satellite communications company with a market capitalization of $1.34 billion and impressive revenue growth of 19% over the last twelve months, announced today its collaboration with aerospace manufacturer Blue Origin to demonstrate its InRange telemetry relay service, aimed at supporting future space missions. According to InvestingPro analysis, the company maintains strong liquidity with a current ratio of 1.8, despite operating with significant debt following its strategic acquisitions. This service is part of NASA’s Communications Services Project (CSP), which seeks to transition from NASA’s legacy Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS) system to commercial solutions.
The partnership will see Viasat’s Space and Mission Systems team integrate its user terminal and InRange solution on Blue Origin’s New Glenn launch vehicle across two upcoming missions. The first New Glenn rocket successfully launched on January 16, 2025, marking a significant milestone for Blue Origin. The company’s stock has shown strong momentum, with a 34.7% price return over the past six months, reflecting investor confidence in its strategic initiatives.
Susan Miller, President of Viasat Government, expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration, emphasizing the need for commercial capabilities to deliver greater performance, flexibility, and resilience to support future missions. InRange is designed to maintain a constant relay connection to the ground, offering real-time data transmission during launch and reducing reliance on ground communications, which can be disrupted when the launch vehicle moves out of range.
The initial InRange flight test is anticipated to launch this year, with a full service demonstration planned for 2026. These missions are expected to be the first in-flight demonstrations of Viasat’s data-relay services under the NASA CSP program, which includes a portfolio of multi-band space-relay communications services supporting low-Earth orbit missions and constellation operations.
Viasat’s recent acquisition of Inmarsat has positioned the company as a new global communications partner with a presence in 24 countries. The company’s mission is to connect everyone and everything worldwide, contributing to a sustainable future in space.
This announcement is based on a press release statement from Viasat, Inc. With the company’s next earnings report due on May 21, investors seeking deeper insights can access comprehensive analysis through InvestingPro, which features detailed financial health scores and 13 additional ProTips. The platform’s Pro Research Report offers expert analysis on Viasat’s market position and growth prospects, making it an essential tool for informed investment decisions.
In other recent news, Viasat Inc. announced the availability of its GX10A and GX10B satellite payloads for government services, a significant development in enhancing broadband satellite coverage over the Arctic. This initiative is part of the Arctic Satellite Broadband Mission and aims to meet the increasing connectivity demands in the region. Additionally, Viasat has completed the early redemption of its 5.625% Senior Notes due September 2025, involving $442,550,000 in aggregate principal amount. This financial move, confirmed through an SEC filing, potentially reduces the company’s future interest expenses and debt load.
Furthermore, Viasat revealed that Executive Vice President and Chief Corporate Officer Kevin Harkenrider will retire by June 30, 2025, though he will remain as a non-executive employee until the end of the year. The company has yet to announce his successor, and this transition will be closely watched by investors. Meanwhile, Viasat’s collaboration with American Airlines continues, as the airline plans to offer complimentary Wi-Fi on aircraft equipped with Viasat technology. Despite competition from SpaceX’s Starlink, Viasat maintains a strong presence in the inflight connectivity market with over 3,950 aircraft connected. These recent developments reflect Viasat’s strategic efforts to enhance its services and streamline financial operations.
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