[Satellite TODAY 10-07-11] The highly anticipated and long-delayed launch of the ViaSat-1 high-capacity satellite is now scheduled for Oct. 19, the satellite’s operator ViaSat confirmed Oct. 6. The satellite will be launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.

   ViaSat said it completed fueling the ViaSat-1 spacecraft and that the satellite would be mated to the launch vehicle payload adapter to begin the next joint operations phase of the program. The combined assembly will then be joined with the ILS Breeze M upper stage in preparation for mating to the Proton launch vehicle early next week.

   With a capacity estimated at 140 Gbps, ViaSat-1 aims to provide high-capacity Ka-band spot beam satellite with planned coverage over North America and Hawaii, along with high-speed broadband services for WildBlue in the United States and Xplornet in Canada.