Boeing Holdups Delaying ViaSat-3, Viasat Says

Due to COVID-19's supply chain effects, Viasat is asking that its Oct. 31 launch and operation milestone for its ViaSat-3 geostationary orbit high-throughput satellite be waived or extended until April 30. In an FCC International Bureau filing last week, Viasat said Boeing is testing the satellite as it's integrated to the rocket. Viasat said it worked with vendors to mitigate supply chain problems, but "these efforts have been unsuccessful in the case of Boeing." It said Boeing "has been unable or unwilling to consistently address staffing shortages, delaying its ability to complete the final stages of the ViaSat-3 construction process." It said Boeing was hampered by Los Angeles County public health directives creating "numerous intermittent and unpredictable COVID-19-related changes to working conditions." Viasat said there "was no reason ... to anticipate Boeing’s poor schedule performance at the outset of the program." Boeing didn't comment Monday.